#how does one talk about disney movies without sounding like a toddler or a disney adult who spends all their time on facebook

[whereisthewalrus]

i fuckin. forgot how to make buddies.

[misfit-megumi]

so I just saw this post on Tiktok where a waitress got double sat, because the children were on a date and wanted to sit on a separate table. And she thinks "Ah, Teenagers." But they're 7 years old, had a crush on each other since the date they met as toddlers and the boy just wanted to take the girl out on a date. and the parents are sitting on a different table close by and the children giggle and have fun, order grown up food and share desert and even drink alcohol free champagne because they are on a date.

That sounded so cute, but I couldn't for the life of me think of the right character for this... do you have an Idea?

OH OH OH!!! this is the sweetest thing ever 🥹

if we're talking about the parents, i think kuroo would be the best pick. he noticed his son was paying too much attention to daichi's daughter during one of their visits but didn't want to push on it because 1) they're too young and 2) he doesn't want to get ahead of his child, he wanted his child to process his emotions, and when he's ready he'll come to him.

so years pass and kuroo's son decided that he's a big boy already and wants to properly take his crush out on a date. because that's what men do. he's seen his daddy do it to his mommy, so maybe if he does it to his crush then she'll be happy like mommy. and maybe, just maybe, he can earn a kiss on the cheeks, too? his cheeks warmed just thinking bout it. but where do kids go on a date? and how will he ask her out? so baby boy went to his daddy to ask for advice.

when kuroo heard his son sharing his dilemma, he felt his chest swell with pride and relief. you and kuroo did right in raising your son. so he arranged for everything: booked a reservation at this child-friendly restaurant, asked daichi's permission in advance so daichi wouldn't be shocked when his little girl comes bouncing to him about a date with a boy, gave his son some tips on what to wear and how to confess to the girl of his dreams. he didn't want to take credit for anything, but maybe, he went a bit overboard? but hey, that's what parents are for, right?

if we're talking about the kid's point of view, i think mirio would be funny. like imagine him pestering reader, following her around while talking her ears off with silly jokes. he just wants, no, needs to be around reader constantly when they're in daycare. there's something about reader's expression that gives him cute aggression!! but as much as he wants to squish her rosy plump cheeks, he wouldn't do that because mama taught him not to touch people without their consent. so just talking to her would do for now.

after winter break, mirio noticed that reader has a new bag with a princess on it. so during lunch, he asked reader who the princess was and that's when he saw reader's eyes light up for the first time. she said that it's tiana and she's her favorite disney princess ever! reader also wants to open up her restaurant and wants to meet her very own prince naveen someday.

mirio's heart fluttered when he saw reader smiling while talking about this princess, and he decided that he wants to see reader smile more. so he watched this movie, took down notes, and planned this "date" for reader, which is mincing lots of veggies and fruits. he asked his mama for help about the mincing part because he never held a knife before. it's scary at first, but he's a big boy! he can and will do this to be reader's prince naveen!

the next day, mirio went to reader's table and left a note. he couldn't hide his excitement when he saw reader took the note and gave her a thumbs up when she looked at him. lunch break came and reader and mirio went outside. he laid a blanket as best as he could and asked reader to sit down with him. when they're settled, he opened his lunch box, and showed reader everything that he minced + candies. reader's eyes went big like saucers and screamed, "you minced?!?!" when he nodded, reader squealed and hugged him really tight.

[popculturebuffet]

Goof Week: Goofy Birthday Shortstacular!

Hyuck all you happy people! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOOFY! The celebration already got on track today with a look at the two part goof troop pilot. You can find that here.  

That review kicked off GOOF WEEK my weeklong look at all things Goofy, but as is tradition on this blog the birthday of one of the big three wouldn’t’t be complete without a look at their theatrical shorts career. And with this one i’ve covered all three of Disney’s biggest stars having covered Donald last june (and will again next month) and Mickey in September so it’s long overdue that my boy gets a shot and even longer overdue I watched some of his classic shorts. 

A large part of why I started doing these is because I love classic theatrical shorts and the reason I love looking at the Disney ones is, unlike Looney Toons or Tom and Jerry, I didn’t grow up with these and Disney never replayed them. At most you’d get one or a small slice of one in a House of Mouse episode. So this is a fun way to dive right into history and see a piece of Disney I’ve only started scratching the surface of. 

This is a fun one too. I ended bumping this up to 12 shorts again, and i’m glad as it allowed me to take a look at some of the weirder stuff and we go all over the place: We have dancing, goofy begging for a smoke, goofy devlopnig a split personality that calls him fat a bunch, a prototypical max who is a LOT, trips to medevil times and cowboy times, a tex avery esque noir short, and the lead in short to National treasure. If any of that sounds like a real good time to you, then keep reading under the cut!

Mickey’s Revue (1933)

Goofy was created by his VA Pinto Colvig, who based the character on the local happy go lucky moron from his home town, and after a dicussion with Walt it was decided to roll him into Mickey’s growing supporting cast. 

My guess from here is they decided to do a dry run to make sure the character worked with audeinces before giving him a full time roll. Given Goofy’s been both a staple of Mickey’s supporting cast and often more popular than the mouse or even the duck, you can see how that went. 

Colvig was awesome. While Bill Farmer is my preferred Goofy, I still tip my hat to the original and it’s clear this was a character he was born t play and it shows: a lot of characters take a short or too to really find their personality. Goofy.. has his early shorts persona straight out of the box> The only weird thing is he’s an ol dman here.. but otherwise his schick here, loudly eating peanuts, laughing a bit too loud and annoying everyone around him with no genuine malice.. that’s Goofy and Pinto really hit onto something and as we’ll see today had a TON of range beyond this. 

As for the rest of the short.. it’s forgetable. It’s not BAD, but it’s just Mickey and friends capering on stage. Nothing really out of the oridnary for these early Mickey Shorts, especially since some of them could get really damn creative.

The Whoopee Party (1933)

Now we have Goofy’s first proper appearance, going from joke character in the crowd to full member of Mickey’s friend group. 

This one is also just okay, but better than the last: Mickey and friends throw a wild party, with Mickey, Goofy and Horace making the sammiches. Goofy dosen’t do much btu gets a good gag or two, and overall it’s alright. Enjoyabl efor it’s lively animation and not much else. 

Goofy and Wilbur (1936) Three years later we get Goofy’s proper debut, a cute short about him using his Cricket friend to fish. That’s not the exestitnal nightmare that it sounds like mind you as Wilbur simply tricks them into Goofy’s net an donly gets eaten when they catch on and Goofy runs to his aid. The short really is more about Wilbur but it’s fair: like with Donald , who was paired with Pluto in his first solo short, they wanted to test the waters before having Goofy carry a cartoon himself. As we’ll see he very well could, but it’s fair to want ot backdor pilot it first and it’s easily one of the best shorts of today’s batch.

How to Play Baseball (1937)

First off while they make a good effort I already know how ot play baseball short...

How To Play Baseball is my faviorite of the Goofy Shorts on Disney Plus, which is a VERY small batch. Especailly since most of Today’s shorts aren’t at all problematic or inapproriate for kids. This one is a gem though. It’s one of the How To Shorts where a narrator goes ove rgoofy trying and failing at an activity though this one’s a tad diffrent. 

 The How To Narrator teaches us about baseball before narrating the world series game. It’s full of cleve slapstick, high speed animation and plain fun. It’s also part of the trend that would dominate Goofy’s sports career of putting him in whatever roll the shorts needed. Here he’s everyone at once, others he’s his old goofy self, other time sh’es just a normal joe. But Colvig does every version amazingly, so it all meshes and that general goofy design is so appealing it just WORKS.  So yeah while i’m not into sports I do genuinely love the How To shorts, as they were my faviorite part of House of Mouse and still are, and the originals are every bit as classic as their reputation says they are. 

A Knight For A Day (1946)

This one is the only other one of these on Disney Plus and it’s decent enough. Nothing incredibble or extra specail: Goofy plays a Squire who has to fil lin for his Knight in a tournament and tries to win a princesses hand against another douchier goofy. Simple stuff iwth some fun gags, but it just dosen’t feel all that fresh, especially since Disney already did a much better shorts with knights with Mickey’s “Ye Olden Days”. It just dosen’t feel as fun or creative as that one was btu on it’s own it’s fine. Nothing great, nothing terrible, just fine. First short of the day to feature Goofy’s faceless blonde love interest who in domestic shorts is his wife and by the same extension Max’s now dead mother. 

Tomorrow We Diet (1951)

We’ve got three from 1951 here. By this point Goofy had traditioned from lovable bumbler to every man, taking on a more generalized personality to fit into every day slice of life scenarios, using those to brilliantly contrast the goofy animated comedy with the more mundane setting it comes from. And sometimes it’s just straight up sticom humor with the ocasoinal joke you could only do in a cartoon.  And sometimes.. you get a version of Goofy who lives in a mirror taunting Goofy over being fat and then trying to keep him on his diet while it’s not clear if thi sis a split personality, a mirror ghost tormenting him that took his form and is doing this so Goofy breaks the mirror and frees him, or his evil doppleganger from another universe. 

Yeah .. one of the centerpieces of this short is Goofy’s reflection/split personality/earth 3 doppleganger/some sort of evil genie taunt shim abotu the fact he’s putting on weight startnig by saying “Hey Fat”... because apparently in this unvierse the best weight joke they can come up with is literally just calling someone fat. I bet I know who rules THIS timeline with an iron fist....

The first half of this short is Goofy being told he’s fat by a bunch of people and the second half is his hallucination/psychotic break/guardian asshole tormenting him with the diet. And I do mean tormenting: He knocks away all of Goofy’s food, then suggests he not even eat his carrot and STARVE himself, which is just deeply unhealthy, and earlier forces Goofy to let him read his book and then tell shim to just diet anyway. Which granted dieting IS sensible.

So yeah this short as you can probably guess by the fact it involves the term “Hey Fat” which was only said by a human being once.. Dick Kinney or Mick Shaffer, the writers of ths short,  when one pitched the line to the other and they laughed for some reason and put it in the script. But with that you can wager this short is REALLY outdated> Overating CAN be a problem and fat shaming still exists, but it’s far less tolerated and far less of a thing.

And hell I can tolerate a good natured weight joke, the Critic had some great ones, especially as a fat guy myself... but this isn’t good natured. The entire joke is, as the man said above HE’S FAT.. So as a legit short. it’s deeply unfunny at best, horribly insulting at worst. But as a so bad it’s good short? it’s GOLD. From the whole mirror goofy thing, to the fact fat is seen as a legit insult here or something to just call fat people because that’s what the writers thoguht humans, even in the 50′s talked like it’s just riffably cruel.. though it will obviously depend onthe viewers tolerance for both fat jokes and how creepy the short can be and again as a short it sucks. As something to be mocked for fun.. it’s fat with potential

Father’s Are People (1951)

Hey Kids you wanna see Max and Goofy reenact Problem Child? 

Given I did Goof Troop earlier this week and i’m finishing this week with A Goofy Movie, it shouldn’t come as a huge shocker that I wanted to cover the first short with Goofy’s son Juinor, who’d later be remolded into Max. 

The short STARTS promising with Goofy having a kid and the hyjinks that comes from having a baby child: Goofy passes out Cigars because Lung Cancer was the preferred way of celebrating having a child in the 50′s, runs himself ragid helping out, which I give the short credit for as “Donald’s Diary” three years later would play a man helping a woman around the house for horror. Here George (Goofy would often go by George Geef in later shorts) pitches in and while he’s clearly exausted he is trying to help with the boy. 

It takes a turn though once we jump ahead to a toddler Junior. Seriously a red head named junior... there’s no way that’s a coincidence. Anyways, the problem is unlike problem child, where Junor dosen’t really go after his dad but the assholes around his pushover dad who genuinely deserve it, this Junior goes after Goofy who at wors tis mildly negelectful but clearly loves his boy> He also DOES try to take a brus hto the kid... but it’s hard to be too mad about that as it was acceptable at the time and he dosen’t actually paddle a three year old. It’s like a less horrfying version of donald puttin ga penguin to a shotguns face in that the targeted party dosen’t see the threat and that goofy isn’t some form of sociopath in this short like Donald was there. It’s just not very funny and only worth watching at all for the historical value. 

No Smoking! (1951) (Patreon Selection by WeirdKev27)

This is my first of two Patreon selections, my patreon is here if you want to chip in a buck to pick a short for Donald’s birthday next month, by longtime friend and backer of the blog Kev. He suggested this one for the sheer absurdity of Goofy smooking.. and was right on the money> This one is DELGITHFUL. 

It works on two levels: it works on the modern level of seeing such an iconic cartoon grapple with trying to quit smoking, first smoknig so constantly a giant cloud appears over him and he has about 80 cigs in his mouth at once, but then trying to quit and being surrounded bycigs before finally DESPERATELY begging for one. As I discovered you really HAVEN’T lived till you’ve heard goofy madly call out “Smoke, smoke gotta have a smoke”. 

But while the novelty IS great.. it’s also just a good cartoon. Outside of some blatant racisim at the start, with a native american sterotype introducing smoking to colmbus which feels so wrong to type I need a shower and really puts a damper on the short which after that.. is just really funny. From the smoking through the ages, to the very creative smoking gags it’s just fun.. and it is CLEARLY anti-smoking, showing both the insane amount of cigrte smoker can go through and how mad the addiction can drive you. It’s not bad... though if you can’t stomach the blatant and terrible racisim.. I get that and it’s fair. 

Two Gun Goofy (1952)

This is one of two “put Goofy in another setting all together” pieces, both in the same year which tells me they were trying to find new stuff to do for Goofy. Thi sisn’t unheard of in cartoons: Around the same time and before Bugs Bunny went all over the world and thorugh time and space, and Mickey went through the looking glass and had two fantasy shorts, so i’ts not unusual

But what IS neat about these next two shorts is they combined the two goofys: he has his goofy demanor and oblivoiusness from the classic shorts, but still has his deeper, slightly less goofy voice from the everyman shorts and is still treated as an average joe, just one now undertaking genre careers, here a cowboy and next a detective

This short is decent. I’m a sucker for cowboy episodes apparently: either old west style showdowns or having the characters go to a dude ranch or something. So naturally I picked this one and was told Max was in it an dhe is... in a two second cameo when Goofy has a thought bubble after meeting faceless lady.

But this is a really enjoyable picture. not Disne’y sbest but good stuff. It also pairs Goofy with pete which really is a perfect pairing, putting our scowling rotund villian against our skinny well meaning hero. And while i’ts a common gag in a lto of things I do love Goofy accidently beating the shit out of pete as the short finds fun ways to do it. All in all worth a watch. 

How to Be a Detective (1952)

This one was a REALLY fun one. Like with westerns i’m a sucker for a good noir parody, even if ironically I haven’t watched much of either genre proper. Add in the fact this is clearly inspiried by Tex Avery’s work and i’m sold on this fun madcap romp with an approraitely more noirsh narrator. 

Goofy is naturally a detective and hired by the faceless woman to find “Al” having to contend with both a goon he keeps failing to recognize and The Chief of Police, played by Pete, who keeps telling him “I told ya to stay off the case Goof!”. It’s just the delivery makes it funny any time he says it as does his instance... and the punchline, which I won’t spoil to both that an dthe overaching mystery i sa gem. This one’s on youtube, seek it out, it’s damn fun. Before I go thoguh I also love how Goofy is Given “Goof Balls”. Yes GOOFY GETS DRUGGED and I am here for it

Father’s Day Out (1953)

I couldn’t find any GIF’s for this one, not even one’s in teh same tag that were unrelated so here, have more smoking Goofy. It will never not be funny.

This one is ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhtastic. Goofy is overworked, wnats to rest on his weeknd, and stuff gets in the way. Oh and halfway through he abrubtly has to take Max to the beach. It’s.. not much honestly. It’s like the simpsons if it wasn’t funny. 

How To Hook Up Your Home Theater (2007) (Emma Fici Patreon Selection)

You may notice the MASSIVE time jump here. That’s because while Disney still does theatrical shorts nowadays, in part because Pixar’s shorts turned out to be a huge hit, they almost never use the classic cast. This delightful anamoly is one of the few exceptions and was picked by Emma out of sheer curosity. And she picked well this short is fun, feelnig like a big budget version of the House of Mouse How To Shorts I loved so an dhaving a modern yet still ultimatley timeless subject: while the tech featured is missin ga streaming box and 4k, otherwise it really has aged incredibly well and getting all the diffrent modes set up and what not is a hassel we al lcan agree with. 

It’s a fun short with lots of good gags and humor as Goofy tries to set up his Home Theater before the big game, and worth a watch. Weirdly not on Disney+ though try explaining that one. 

One final note is for whatever reason this was paired up with National Treasure: Book of Secrets. 

My BEST GUESS i sthat it appeals to the kinds of dads who’d watch National Traesure: Book of Secrets as well as kids since it’s an adventure film. Though it now makes me want to see Nicholas Cage voice goofy. Get on it Disney. Not forever though, Bill’s a treasure. Just for a gag like Don Cheadle vocing Donald.. oh god put them together.. and then have them do a movie together I don’t think they have and do not know why. 

Final Ranking: As a bit of added fun to close this out and as a new feature for these i’m ranking today’s shorts from best to worst How To Be A Detective How To Play Baseball No Smoking Goofy and WIlbur How To Hook Up Your Home Theater Two Gun Goofy The Whoopee Party Mickey’s Revue Tommorow We Diet A Knight for A Day Father’s Are People Father’s Weekend

For the record despite not being a GOOD short Tommorow we diet is at least intresting, hence i’ts ranknig while Father’s weekend is just a boring 50′s version of problem child. Fathers are People at least has some good gags to set it off. 

So thank you for reading and if you liked this review give it a like and consider joining my patreon at patreon.com/popculturebuffet. As a patron you’d get access to exclusive reviews, the patreon’s discord and to pick a short each time I do one of these shortstaculars. Donald’s comnig next month and the deadline is in only a few days to join up for said month so the clock is ticking. Even a dollar a month helps me reach my stretch goals so please i fyou can sign up today and if not, I understand and i’ll see you at the next rainbow

[mxvladdy]

Single Dads- Overwatch Prt.1 Headcannons

Jesse McCree

His two little girls have him wrapped around their fingers. Jesse can be seen on base entertaining his twins with games, tea parties, and piggyback rides. They both inherited their father's love of western flair and aesthetic much to his delight. Yes, they all have matching boots for special occasions. Their favorite thing to play with when Jesse is away is their play-dough sets and easy bake oven (with supervision from grandpa Rein). When they are old enough to cook with him though he has so many ideas of what to teach them. Grandma’s recipes won’t die out with him.

When Jesse gets back from a long mission all he wants is to cuddle up, it warms his heart when they snuggle up during their favorite Disney movie and nod off. Over the years he has let his hair grow longer than he normally liked just so his girls could play with it (Instead of touching their own. He had a heart attack when the girls had found his electric razor. Aunty Olivia had a field day fixing that mess)

He likes to take them to the gun range when he has time to practice, making sure they have proper safety gear. Don’t need to turn out like their daddy, deaf in one ear, and ringing in the other. He hopes that they will never have to raise a weapon of their own but knows with his line of work and who he is it’s a possibility. If they want to learn how to hold a gun he is probably going to beg Ana to teach them. He doesn’t want them in close combat, that’s an absolute nope.

Hanzo Shimada

Whenever he sees his son his face splits into the most brilliant smile. His infant son squirms in Ana’s arms, trying to get to his dad as he steps off the dropship. Chubby baby arms wave excitedly, impatient to be back in his father's embrace. As he grows he turns into a very giggly and chatty baby who babbles to anyone in a mix of English, Japanese, and Tibetan (thanks to Genji and Zenyatta babysitting). Hanzo adores his son and strives to be a better father than his ever was to him. He’s strict, but never overbearing.

He loves to read to his son whatever he can find, though his favorite is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? Which he reads in English and Japanese till his little one is asleep. When his son can’t sleep he will read it over and over again while his dragons rocking him to sleep.

He encourages his son’s interests whatever they may be at the time. He has saved up a lot of money from mercenary work and what he could take before he fled his home. So he can spend all the money he needs to help fuel his son’s interest.

He regrets that he hadn’t taken more family heirlooms to pass down to his son. Genji often jokes about a bonding trip when his son is older and trained to the old estate. A right of passage taking back what was rightfully theirs. It is a tempting idea… But even without the family trinkets, he will pass down Storm bow, whether his son uses it or not he doesn’t care. The biggest inheritance will be his dragon when the time comes.

Genji Shimada   His eldest child is a spitfire, very much like he was in his youth. Thankfully, he tempers it much better than his parents ever did, finding an equal balance between friend and father. He respects her boundaries and she respects his wishes. Whenever she is feeling down she always finds little origami figures all over her room just like when she was little. Really into textiles and engineering. While never admitting it to her father but she one day wants to design him a better, slicker, and lighter body. One as close to flesh as possible. Till then she flourishes with Gabe learning how to sew and make patterns. The holidays are always filled with new custom clothes for the Overwatch members. She is found in the frequent company of Zenyatta. She wants to travel with him one day, to gather inspiration for her fashion and to see what her father saw to make him into the man he is today.  

His younger son though is very much like Hanzo when they were little. Reserved and resourceful he spends most of his time with Winston learning what he could from the scientist before dinner. Genji isn’t dull by any sense of the word but the stuff his boy was interested in was just over his head. Has a service dog named Totoro that is always there for him when things get too overwhelming. When things get too much or he is tired Genji loves that his son comes to him for help and advice. To him this is the ultimate show of trust, he wished he could have done this with his father. Normally they just meditate and talk. Other times they go find Satya, who his son loves to talk to.    

Christmas and birthdays were always a fun challenge to find things that would keep him stimulated. Last year the highlight had been his very own personal telescope. Courtesy of the science department of Overwatch.

Gabriel Reyes (Pre-fall and After)

His princesa is his world. His crew likes to tease him about his phone usage. 99% of the time he is in the barracks he is glued to it, face-timing his daughter. During the original Overwatch years, his mother and grandmother raised her while he was on tour. It kills him looking back on how he had watched his daughter grow from the scene of his phone. But at the time he believed it was for the best. Now- now he would give anything to be the one to teach her how to walk, her first words, prom, and graduation. 

The few times he could visit were glorious. Lots of home cooked meals made together and gifts from the places he had been around the world. Jack and Ana would drop by sometimes as well bringing with them stories and her father’s escapades and foolishness. As his daughter grew she picked up a passion for music and would send sound clips of her music lessons and compositions to him. No one was safe from him showing it off. After the fall and his resurrection, he stayed clear of her, keeping the pictures and recordings saved close to him at all times. Though the holidays are a hard time for him to stay away. Every year her family Christmas tree has a few more presents under it then she bought.  

She knows he’s still around and is determined to find a way to bring her father back.

Jack Morrison

Twins are a handful. One he thought he was ready for. I mean, he was able to keep Lena and McCree inline (mostly -but not really). He is a nervous dad at first. Overly prepared, he read every book and online forum. But, self-doubt is a hell of a drug. He gets better over time and the motto of “fake it till ya make it” 100% applies to him.  

As Strike-Commander he is in his office a lot. When the twins were newborns, he moved his work to his condo. As they got older he returned to his office and set up an area for the kids. When he is in conference calls it’s always funny to see the toddlers get into frame, or try to get his attention. His office is littered with scribbles and paintings the two did in daycare or while playing with Ana and Reinhardt.    

The two have their dad whipped. He won’t admit it but he is wrapped around their fingers. It’s not that he showers them in gifts or lets them make trouble all the time. But he does turn a blind eye to the little things. Missing cookies, a little stain on his chair after he told them no food in his office. Ok, maybe one more scoop of ice cream, but promise me you’ll eat dinner alright? Most nights he can’t read them to sleep. It hurts, but they adjust. He does tuck them in and turns on some read-alongs for them before heading back into the office. The twins are out within minutes blessedly.

Jean-Baptiste Augustin

Twin girls, and he is on top of it. Ultimate chill dad. He gets it. Life is rough, and he is so proud that his girls feel safe coming to him for help. He teaches them how to handle their problems with words not violence. Papa and uncle Mako will take care of it. 

Neither girls are interested in medicine, which hurts a little but it’s not his life and he’s proud regardless. He is great with letting them explore their dreams. The eldest follows Bridgette wanting to learn about armor and the youngest (much to his fear) really likes Fawkes and his innate skill with explosives. Praise the gods Athena kept a close eye one them when he had something to show her.

Both are close with Genji’s kids in age. It’s nice for them to have friends that aren’t a bunch of old soldiers. They all like to hang-out on the roof of the base to destress after a day of school or side projects. When the four are together there is a 90% chance the evening will end with a few more grey hairs on the father’s heads.

Cooking is a big part of their family ritual. Baptiste grew up rough and underfeed so there is no way he will ever let his girls feel the same way. He teaches them what few Haitian recipes he knows from heart. Then sometimes they will watch videos and read recipes online of other peoples to try and add to their own books. His paranoia gets the best of him sometimes and he teaches them basic survival skills. They appreciate it and understand his fears. He is open with them about his past and is unashamed to admit his faults.  

[lovelivingmydreams]

Logan Anker: Duties

Logan Chapter 1: an end and a beginning

Logan settles into his new house, his new neighborhood and comes to terms with his new responsibilities.

The house was probably far nicer than someone who’d caused as much damage as he had deserved. But Logan was not about to argue with Thomas on any of those things.

Thomas was Manifestor. He still had to get used to that revelation. Thomas has sworn that he only found out when he looked up the address he was supposed to meet him at to escort him to his new home. And Logan believed him.

“If you want, I can come shopping with you for some new things for him,” his old friend and new boss offered as he put down one of the boxes they had packed from Helena’s place.

“Thank you. I will first unpack and then make a list of necessities,” Logan assured him as he gently lowered the child to the couch. “Thanks again for finalizing the adoption so fast…”

“Well it wasn’t all me and it wasn't that hard. You are his blood. And you are actually her sole benefactor other than the little guy and she willed you to be his guardian unless you’d refuse so she made it really easy.”

Logan nodded, feeling guilty as he thought of how much trust she’d had in him.

“Call me if you need help unpacking. Or do you need me to watch him for a bit while you get everything ready?”

Logan shook his head. He was not ready to let the boy too far from his sight yet.

“That won’t be necessary. I will be in touch,” he stated as he took in a deep breath to force his emotions in line. He would manage.

Thomas sighed and handed him a card. “He’s a friend of mine and a good doctor. If you need to talk,” was all he said before leaving.

Logan looked at the card and then put it in his wallet. He’d call once he was properly settled in. It was only logical to make an inventory of his current mental state considering that the physical side of his power… It was in everyone’s best interest if he had his mental and emotional state under control.

He started to sort through Helena’s things. The house was already mostly furnished for him, considering he’d only had the barest necessities while hiding from the law the past few years. And most of Helena’s furniture was due for replacement. The nicest things she owned belonged to the child. And even those weren't new.

Thomas was too kind. He might have a generous reformation budget, but all this was still much more effort than Logan deserved.

He picked up a framed photograph of Helena and her late husband. The boy’s father.

They would’ve been amazing parents. Logan had fond memories of Caleb…

The boy on the couch stirred and sat up rubbing tiredly at his eyes.

“Momma?” he muttered confused and disoriented. That was the hardest. How to make it clear to a 2 year old that his mother was gone and that this was his home now?

Logan walked over to the couch and sat down next to the boy who looked up to him with a confused frown.

“It’s okay. You are safe. Do you want something to eat?” Logan asked. He didn’t have the strength to try to explain what happened again.

The boy nodded. “Yes please,” he said softly, a little sad. Maybe he did remember being told that his mother was never going to come back. It was possible that he simply had been dreaming and was disoriented by reality. It happened sometimes. Logan would most likely forget she was gone on occasion too. Grief played cruel tricks on your mind like that.

“Very well.”

After their meal Logan sat the child down with a Disney movie and continued unpacking.

Then the doorbell rang. Was Thomas checking up on him already?

Logan looked over at the boy to make sure he was okay before leaving the room. He opened the door to find a young couple with a toddler greeting him.

“Hi!” The woman smiled with a wave. “My name is Celine, this is my husband David and our son Janus,” she introduced herself and her family. Janus was hiding half his face in his mother’s skirt.

“We are your next door neighbors and we thought we’d come and say hi and welcome to the neighborhood.”

Logan nodded. “I see. Thank you very much. I am doctor Logan Anker. I will be teaching biochemistry at the university starting this fall,” he explained as he shook the adults’ hands. He knelt down and addressed Janus. “It is a pleasure to meet you too Janus,” he informed the small boy who just hid away more. He rose again to address the adults, accepting that Janus simply was not comfortable around a stranger and then he felt a figure behind him. He stepped to the side and looked down to find the boy. He was looking at the strangers with curious but wary eyes.

“Oh, and what is your name?” Celine asked kindly bowing down a little.

“Vigi Aner, ma” he mumbled.

“Oh, your son is so polite,” she complemented.

“Nephew actually,” Logan corrected.

“Oh… oh,” Celine looked to her husband, unsure what to do.

“Our apologies, we didn’t mean to assume,” he offered calmly.

“It is quite alright. Your assumption was not without reason. We recently lost his mother.”

Murderer… No those thoughts were not helpful or correct. Yes I am to blame, but there was no ill intent.

“I am his legal guardian.”

The couple nodded. “Well if you ever need a babysit. I design websites and work from home mostly, so I’m always available,” David explained.

“And of course he is always welcome for a playdate,” Celine added. “Right Janus?” she asked as she looked down.

The child didn’t move for a moment but then stepped forward revealing his face. Logan didn’t miss the tensing of the parents shoulders. He could understand why. The left half of the boy’s face and neck were covered in birthmarks. He could imagine this got him a lot of stares in public.

His nephew stepped forward too and when Logan looked down he saw him smile and point at the freckles underneath his eyes. “Sun kisses,” he said and the parents relaxed. Janus smiled too and then was pulled inside. “Stitch,” was the only explanation.

Logan could only assume that he wanted to continue his movie and had decided that the other boy might as well join.

The Bullards turned out to be extremely helpful. They made sure he knew to find his way around the neighborhood and Janus and Virgil kept each other entertained.

So after a month, he trusted them enough to leave him with them for a few hours.

“I will be back soon. I promise,” he told the child who nodded and held onto his blankie and stitch plushie. Gifts from Logan in hopes that they would help soothe the stress of all these unexpected changes. The boy had nightmares and seemed easily spooked. Logan did his best to make him feel safe and cared for. He felt terribly unqualified for the job, but he tried to understand and provide in his needs.

Then the door opened and the nervous boy was pulled inside by an excited Janus. Their youngest neighbor had certainly opened up more during the month they’d been here.

His nephew looked back and waved him goodbye. Logan tried to smile encouragingly and waved back before handing the bag with necessities over to David. “Once more, my gratitude,” he offered.

“I should thank you actually. Janus… It’s terrible but he already knows he is different from other kids. Your boy has come as a blessing, truly.”

Logan felt something tug inside him in a way that felt both pleasant and painful. A bittersweet feeling. He’s Helena’s son alright. “Well, in that case, call us even,” he offered before bidding his goodbyes, ensuring David had his number down and leaving. He had an appointment with the therapist Thomas recommended.

“Why do you think you don’t use his name?”

Logan’s head snapped up. What?

The end of his first session was nearing and he’d had half a mind to call Thomas and ask him what made him think this would be a funny joke.

Picani was eccentric to say the least. All cartoon references and terrible jokes.

And now…

“Virgil. You haven’t called him by his name, though we’ve talked about him more than anything else. Even when talking about your sister, your stated reason to come here, you talk about him. Yet somehow you avoid saying his name. If not for your paper work I would have no clue. Why?”

Logan was about to object, but then he realized that he was right. Ever since first meeting him he hadn’t referred to him by name once, not even in his head. Even now the name…

“I… Don’t know,” he muttered astonished.

“I wouldn’t want to draw conclusions based on this one conversation of course, but is it alright if I suggest some possible explanations?” Logan nodded intrigued. Maybe Thomas hadn’t been playing a prank after all…

“It could be out of fear to grow attached to him. Or maybe you don’t think you deserve to be close to him. Does that sound like I’m in the right direction?”

Logan went over that in his head. It… wasn’t rational. But the feeling of guilt he felt every time he found himself enjoying the boy’s presence in his life even a little… That wasn’t rational either.

Just the night before he’d given him a bath and when he splashed at the water squealing with laughter he had found himself chuckling as well only to have the wind knocked out of him when he realized that Helena would never get to see this again.

“I guess… It’s just… Helena should be doing these things with him. Not me. I’m not fit…”

“Now I hate to interrupt you, but I have to disagree. You have everything you need to be a good father. You are responsible, attentive and have even indicated yourself that Virgil’s needs take priority. That is an excellent foundation to build from.”

Logan nodded. Rationally the doctor made sense.

“That is our time I’m afraid. But I think we can work with this. I’d like you to reflect on your relationship and interactions with Virgil over the coming week, even if you don’t plan on coming back. You’ll be starting at the university tomorrow, right?”

Logan nodded. “First as the new professor, and in the evening I’ll meet the team I’ll be working alongside with as Brainstorm.” It had seemed pointless to hide that part of his situation. And as it turned out, Picani knew of Thomas' secret too. Which was probably why Thomas recommended him. And Logan had to admit, despite his odd behavior the ,man was clever and observant.

“And… I’ll let you know how things go next week,” he assured the doctor who smiled relieved.

“They wore themselves out in the garden,” Celine explained with a fond whisper as she led Logan to the living room where David was sitting on the couch next to the boys who were holding onto each other in their sleep. Logan felt his heart swell with emotion and this time, as an experiment, he didn’t try to push it down. He let himself feel how the little boy on that couch had quickly claimed a place in his heart and was making it his home.

“Hi…” David greeted before gently nudging his nephew awake.

“Look who’s here buddy?” he asked.

The boy… Virgil, blinked blearily before focusing on Logan who’d accepted the supply bag from Celine. Virgil reached for him, grabbing with his arms, clearly asking to be picked up.

Logan chuckled and lifted him up in his arms, allowing himself to feel how glad he was to have him there, safe and sound.

“Hi papa.” That made Logan freeze. Virgil never called him… He called him Lo… Not…

“He heard Janus call me daddy and papa and today he asked what it was. I said it was like a mom but a boy. I guess he decided that means you for him,” David explains as he lifted his own son up in his arms.

“Ah…”

Logan didn’t say anything more after that. He went home and put Virgil in his bed so he could finish his nap there. He watched over him and stroked at his hair.

Funny, what seemed like a monumental task only minutes ago, was now accomplished for him it seemed. Virgil had decided that Logan was a parental figure. He had compared him to Helena and decided he measured up. Logan could not argue with that.

Logan sighed and went downstairs to dig through the last box that was still not unpacked.

It was filled with pictures and memento’s of Helena and Caleb. He looked at a picture of the last birthday Logan had spent with both of them. “I’ll look after him Helena. I’ll be the best father I possibly can be.”

“Papa?” Logan put the picture away and walked up the stairs to see to his son.

@moonlightshow00 @naturallyunstablegamer @alias290 @meowthefluffy @frida0043

3)Allies

Masterlist

[kingliam-rys]

Hi, can I request #2 #10 and #49 from little one prompts for liam and mc? 🥰

Hi there, thanks for requesting!! I’ve been loving this prompt list, it gives me all the feels. I kept the three prompts separate, just for simplicity. They are bolded before each drabble, Hope you enjoy!!!

This is over 2k words, I’m so sorry. Also there is intentional spelling mistakes in Ellie’s dialogue, i attempted toddler talk..not sure if i’ll ever do that again

Prompts are from here (however I am not taking any more request from this list at the moment-currently working on #12, should be up sometime tomorrow night/Wednesday))

My Masterlist

Little One Prompts #2,10,49 (Liam x MC)

2.Shopping for nursery furniture for little one. (so I realized after I wrote this, it’s not necessarily shopping for furniture, but I feel like it came out better than what I could’ve written for that topic anyway so….I hope you enjoy it?)

“I’m not sure I like that. Owls freak me out” Riley admitted as she and Liam flipped through the suggested nursery themes. Liam laughed at her comment wondering its source “Owls freak you out?”

“Yeah, the giant eyes, and their heads can twist to look directly behind them. It’s creepy.”

Again a chuckle escaped him, “alright then, no owls. Cross that off the theme options” Riley continued sorting through the pages, noticing the other options as well, “Actually, take off any animal that can be found in a forest, no baby deer or bunnies or foxes.” She listed off, “ You know, take off all animal options off the table”

“What does that leave us with?” He asked, noticing that the theme suggestions were mostly animals. Riley contemplated, tiring her search of the suggested alternatives, she closed the binder with a thud, settling back into her seat.

“What about stars? The moon and stars, I feel like that’s more appropriate. “ She envisioned the picture of where she was going to lay her little prince or princess to sleep, or to feed, or to rock, starting form in her mind. “Maybe dark grey walls, with a focal point wall of midnight blue that’s filled with dotted stars. And we can decorate it with little moons”

Riley closed her eyes in contempt, continuing to imagine the little baby’s room, feeling the tiny kicks of the baby press against her side. She smiled, reflecting on how all the suns and moons and stars had to align for her to meet Liam that fateful night in New York, and they all brought her here, to this moment, married to the love of her life-with a baby arriving in a couple of months.

“It’s fitting that the heir be surrounded by stars, our meeting was fate, written in the stars, and our baby’s arrival a product of it.” She mulled.

Riley looked over to Liam, who smiled adoringly at his wife, knowing that whatever she suggested, he would be okay with. Feeling a connection to the theme, he never imagined he would be this lucky to marry the woman of his dreams, the love of his life, let alone having a family with her, yes it was definitely written in the stars. Whatever she wanted, he would make it happen. “Sounds perfect.”

With a theme in place, Liam had the palace decorators quickly complete the nursery, mostly painting and adding furniture pieces, figuring he and Riley could spend a few afternoons and evenings adding in the finishing touches of decorations and baby’s clothes and blankets that would be needed. Though Liam was kept in the design process for the little heir’s room, he wanted his wife to be surprised, so when it was finally completed he led her to the door, holding in anticipation and nerves to see if it lived up to his wife’s expectations.

As they stepped into the room, Riley’s hand immediately flew to cover her mouth, a gasp escaping, tears pricking her eyes, she loved everything about the room. The crib was against a wall that was painted a dark blue grey- stars sparkled all over. A mobile of the moon, and sun, and tiny stars, hung from the ceiling. There was a plush rocking chair situated in the corner, the blanket Liam had got for them laid across the back.

Taking a moment to admire the new room, Riley took a seat in the rocker, running a hand along the chair’s arm. Liam looked over expectantly, hoping her reaction was all positive. “Do-Do you like it?” He kneeled to her side placing a hand on her cheek, running his thumb under her eye to wipe a small tear.

“It’s absolutely perfect, Liam” she replied, sitting back in the rocking chair, rubbing her hand along the curve of her bump, feeling the baby’s movements follow along. She smirked as she took another quick glance around “And I think our little cub is going to love it as well.”  Taking his hand and placing it where the baby fluttered exuberantly against her skin.

10.Little one coming to sleep with you after having a bad dream.

The Palace felt cold, and hostile. Two weeks earlier, the royal family had been threatened by a potential terrorist attack. And while it was intervened before any serious damage could occur, it shook their peace of mind. Especially for the little four year old Princess. Ellie had not been able to sleep through most nights without waking up crying, while she didn’t understand the seriousness of the attack, she understood the worry that was in her parent’s expression, and the shift in her normal life routine.

Riley did not want to return to the palace so soon, but she and Liam knew that to present a united front, they would need to, avoiding it only hindering their rule. They returned to their personal quarter’s, but the atmosphere felt different, less homey and more tense.

Eleanor had a difficult time, the first couple of nights she had nightmares of the attempted attack, remembering the rushing of palace guards, as her mother’s arms were wrapped around her. While she didn’t wake up screaming, she woke in a fright, but returned to sleep, wrapping herself in her blanket, clutching her stuffed lion close.

A few nights later is when it was especially bad, Ellie dreamt of her mommy and daddy not being with her, she was alone and trying to hide, and while she couldn’t see the ‘bad guys’ she felt they were watching her. And she had no idea what to do, crying out in her sleep.

Liam woke to Eleanor’s scream and subsequent cries, immediately jumping out of bed, heading to his daughter’s room, fearing the pit in his stomach. Riley trailed behind, her 6 month pregnant belly slowing her down, but worry etched her face upon hearing Ellie’s distraught cries.

Liam had her in his arms, by the time Riley walked into the room. He was soothing a hand down her back, trying to calm his little princess down as her cries shook her tiny body. “Shhh, Ellie. It was just a bad dream.” He whispered, Riley was now sitting next to them, cradling a hand on her baby girl’s head.

Eleanor’s tears subsided as she calmed in her parent’s presence, knowing her nightmare was in fact over and her mommy and daddy were with her. “ I had  a scary drweam” Ellie whispered, glancing up at Liam and Riley through her long lashes.

“Do you want to tell us what happened?” Riley asked, even though she didn’t want Ellie to relive it, she wanted to comfort her daughter, the best way she could. “You n daddy were gone,” Ellie hiccupped, recounting the dream as best as a four year old could. “I was scared, don’t wleave me. pwease” She cried again, burying her face into Liam’s shoulder.  

Their heart’s broke at her words, knowing that her nightmare was the result of recent events. “Mommy and daddy won’t leave you, princess. We’ll always be with you” Liam promised, his own voice catching in his throat, truly feeling the weight of the crown at that moment. He cradled his daughter closer to him, whispering comforting words to her.

“Daddy, I don’t wanna sleep alone” Ellie mumbled, as she calmed again. Riley and Liam both agreeing as they brought her back to their room, placing her in the bed as they cocooned around her. Ellie was snuggled in Liam’s arms, as he stared across the pillows over to his wife, tears falling down Riley’s cheek as she thought back to all the struggles of the past couple of weeks.

49.Being unable to stay mad at little one when they give you puppy dog eyes.

Riley was tired. And stressed. And tired. She was seven months into her second pregnancy and while, in appearance, she was glowing, on the inside, she felt horrible. Everything hurt, and all she wanted to do was curl up on the couch, her husband and daughter at her side watching one of the Disney princess movie’s Ellie was obsessed with at the moment.

But instead, Riley was in heels, and a dress that felt too tight, and her daughter running around the mostly empty ballroom, having too much energy then a normal four year old should have two hours past her normal bedtime.

Maxwell had agreed to take Eleanor for a bit, try and get her to run off some energy. While he wasn’t Riley’s first choice to get her daughter calm down, everyone else seemed to be occupied and Riley was desperate.

Finishing up her conversations with the few guests who remained, Riley was joined by her husband, who had just finished a discussion with a European ambassador. “How are you feeling?” He asked, placing a hand on the curve of her bump, feeling the kicks of his baby boy.

“Tired, my feet ache, and little man has been kicking me all evening” Riley grumbled, leaning on Liam’s shoulder, trying to eliminate some of the pains she felt. “Now that the gala has come to a close, why don’t we grab Ellie and unwind with a movie in bed,” he suggested take a moment to glance around the room, in search of his energetic princess, “Where is our little princess?”

“Maxwell volunteered to run off some of her energy,” She mumbled, closing her eyes as Liam massaged his fingers into her back.

Eleanor’s laughter was heard before she was seen as their four year old came running at them, mud evident all over her white shoes and edging the bottom of her dress. “Ellie, what happened? Why are you covered in mud?” Riley fussed at her daughter’s messy appearance, feeling her normally cool façade melt away. Maxwell wasn’t far behind, sporting similar mud stains, Riley piecing it together.

“We jump over the floor, and we no want to land in lava, we land in mud!” The little girl exclaimed, jumping up and down. The plan to calm the little girl obviously had failed. “Lava?” Liam questioned looking from Ellie to Maxwell, hoping the adult responsible could further explain the mess.

“Well, the floor was lava, and we were trapped on top of the stone railings, and it was either land in the fiery pit, or mud. And we chose-” he trailed off, noticing the anger in Riley’s expression, mumbling a  sorry.

“Yea, mama. I sorry too,” Ellie chimed, bowing her head and looking up at her mother through her long lashes. Her baby blue’s filling in with a hint of remorse. Looking exactly like her father when he sought forgiveness from Riley. Riley knew she couldn’t be mad at the little girl, and since she resembled so much of her father, knew that her tension lifted as her eyes met her daughter’s. Something as trivial as a muddy toddler not keeping her mad,  “It’s okay Ellie, mommy’s not mad at you. How about you go with daddy and get cleaned up and ready for bed.” She soothed, taking her daughter into a tight embrace, before placing a kiss to her hair, wishing her off to bed.

Once Liam and Ellie left, Riley turned her attention back to Maxwell, “You!-I do not forgive.” She pointed, brows creased as Maxwell began to cower “What were you thinking, letting the crown princess run around in mud.”  

“I-I was just,  the floor was lava! We couldn’t touch it!” He defended. And as much as Riley wanted to argue his childish antics, she couldn’t and simply let out a laugh. “I can’t believe a grown man is using “the floor is lava” as an excuse. Just–next time, try not to end up splashing around in mud.” She laughed, walking off back to her family’s quarters, planning to spend the rest of the evening relaxed, and snuggled with her family.

[susanoosama01]

Midam Headcanons part 2

After they get out of the cage, Michael is pretty weak for some time. Adam is also wounded and unstable so they drag themselves to a motel and stay there healing for a few weeks without letting anyone else close to them. They don't even draw the closed curtains to let sunlight in. After two days, Adam wants to take a shower and eat. Since Michael's grace isn't recharged yet, he lets Adam control his body and silently observes the human. Adam makes sure to use lots of hot water and eat everything he likes half because he missed those trivial things and half to show Michael there are nice things about being human.

When they finally step outside, they find a flat immediately. Adam gets a job in the nearby cafe with a little of Michael's help faking all his documents. Michael doesn't understand the necessity of getting a job. He can materialise money after all. But Adam doesn't want to accept money he did not earn. Also he needs distraction. He needs somewhere to start if he's ever getting his life back. Michael doesn't get it for a long time but doesn't oppose the teen, instead simply observing.

'Why do you want to become a servant to get some paper? I can create it for you.' 'Michael I am not a servant. It is called working. And you can't just create money, that's not how life works.' 'At least let me create one of these buildings for you. You can hire other servants to work for you and earn your money.' 'Michael no.'

Adam tells Michael about every small thing he wants to know. 'Why do we have to change clothes so often?' 'Why does everyone stare at those screen things all the time?' 'Why can't you go grab food when you're hungry? Why do we pay for everything? God didn't create you like this.' 'Why does this man in the box pretend to be Lucifer? Lucifer doesn’t live in the City Of Angels anymore. He also couldn't care less about humans or their crimes. What is a nightclub? Why do you watch this ridiculous man?'

When Michael gets his own vessel he fakes his own documents with Adam's help. When Adam sees the fake ID he is frozen where he stands for a few seconds. He asks Michael why he did something like that when they had already chosen his fake name along with his fake parents' and his age. Michael just shrugs and tells Adam that 'Michael Milligan' sounds better than anything else and is more familiar.

Michael Milligan is 25 and he never went to college as he lost his parents at a car accident a few years ago. He works at the cafe with Adam.

When they fight it usually turns into a small battle. Michael wrongly pairs all Adam's socks and makes him search for a pair for ten minutes. Adam just wears some of Michael's and claims everything he wears once as his own. Michael starts stealing Adam's t-shirts and hoodies as counter.

Once Adam got really pissed and tried to eBay Michael for 50$. He wrote Michael's number there and watched with glee as Michael received numerous spam calls for the 'Archangel for Sale' for two whole days before he took pity on Michael.

They marathon Disney movies and other things about angels. Michael's favorite so far is Frozen. He likes Elsa because she reminds him of Lucifer. He also likes Good Omens.

Once when he was still not fully recovered from the Cage, Michael had some kind of angel fever. It was nothing serious or dangerous. Michael was just cute and grumpy for five days. Adam made sure to get as many photos of him sleeping on the couch with his Elsa blanket Adam got him as a joke as he can manage and fed him everything he likes.

Michael once lost Adam in the grocery store and couldn't find him because of the enochian seals in his ribs. He just went to a cash register and sat there for ten minutes sulking. In the end the cashier made an announcement for Adam Milligan whose kid was waiting there. Adam came runnig and laughing. They got him a phone of his own after that incident.

'You have reached the voicemail of-' 'What do you need my name for? Is this another strange human custom?' 'The person you have called can not be reached at the moment. Please try again later.' 'Who are you woman? Why do you have Adam's phone?'

Adam makes Michael listen to Christian Rock. Like Skillet or Flyleaf. Michael sings All Around Me for weeks.

They eventually go to Kate and Adam's house. Adam gets the place back but can't bring himself to move back in there. He rents it to a single mom with a baby girl for half its worth.

Adam studies through the nights on final week. Michael just sits on the fluffy carpet and quietly flips through the books Adam puts down. He sometimes helps Adam as he is perfect at algebra and organic chemistry. After Lucifer moves in, he helps most of the time instead of Michael because he is a better tutor according to Adam and he really wants to do something for the teen.

After Lucifer first came to their house, he tried to spoil Adam by snapping five star restaurant dinners and luxury hot tubs into the flat. Just like he told Michael, he tells Lucifer that he doesn’t need to constantly give or be perfect to earn love. In fact, love isn't earned. It just doesn't work like that. Like he guessed, Kate Milligan's exact words get to him too.

They play card and video games together. In the first week after Lucifer arrives, Adam suggests a game night for the brothers to spend time. They make snacks and sit down. Turns out Lucifer doesn't know poker. Even Michael learned it from the TV and internet. The two of them spend the night teaching Lucifer the game.

Adam asks when Lucifer was born. The younger archangel doesn't know his birthday. So Adam asks Michael and tells him to calculate exact date on the human calender. That year Lucifer gets his very first birthday party. Adam and Michael bake a big cake together and invite their friends. Gabriel and Raphael appear two. While the youngest of the four is familiar with the concept and immediately starts stuffing his face with cake, Raphael doesn't understand much. Sam isn't really too comfortable around Lucifer but still comes anyway. Dean grumbles something about how he wouldn't have believed it if he had been told that he would celebrate the Devil's birthday back at the Apocalypse. Castiel is almost as clueless as Raphael. Somehow they all survive the night without any incidents. Except Adam and Michael who got Lucifer a camera, no one remembers bringing gifts. It doesn't matter though. For the first time ever, someone told Lucifer that his existence is something to be celebrated and Michael is the happiest Adam has ever seen him as he hugs his brother. Adam discreetly snaps a photo in Lucifer's new camera of them laughing with arms around each other and Michael ruffling Lucifer's hair.

Michael's birthday is the same as Adam's. Theirs is after Lucifer's so the party is even better this time around. Even Raphael who doesn't like Adam very much softens when Adam pulls him in for a hug instead of the offered handshake because Michael joins and it is the first time that Raphael is emraced by his older brother. The four archangels tell their funniest stories all night. Like how Lucifer accidentally seperated the continents while secretly playing with Michael's sword or how a toddler Gabriel broke into God's work room once and created the most absurd animals while playing there. In the end, Michael too used to sleeping after months of living with Adam dozes of and all three of his brothers snuggle against him eventhough Raphael is a little hesitant at first. They make another perfect picture for Adams album.

Michael and Adam get a car after a year and a half of living together. Teaching Michael to drive is hard. The archangel just zaps the whole vehicle when they are stuck in traffic. He has no patience for that when he can just fly.

The neighbour's teen daughter has a crush on Michael. The girl hits on him a few times. Adam makes fun of Michael who is pretty oblivious for days once he notices. Jokingly he tells Michael that maybe he could get her something for Valentine's and ask her out. Michael asks about the specific holiday in all seriousty. Adam wakes to find Lucifer and Michael trying to make chocolate and arguing in whispers at 5 a.m. on the day. He just goes back to bed and pretends to not see them. The chocolate tastes awful. But Adam still smiles and thanks Michael because it's too cute how Lucifer ushers him into the living room and gives his brother a thumbs up when Michael wants to just change his mind. His gift for Michael is a little different. He gives him the photo album he handmade and tells Michael that he cherishes all their moments together.

They adopt a kitten. At first Michael doesn't want an animal in the house. One mere week later though Adam finds him sleeping with the small thing sprawled over Michael's chest. The little ball of fur ironically named Michelle by his previous owner never stops following Michael around after that.

Lucifer and Michael constantly go back between Heaven and Earth after some time. Just helping rebuild their childhood home. They take Adam to Kate's heaven. When the teen sees how peaceful and happy the place is, he also feels better. Kate's spirit has heard Michael's prayer back at her grave and she gives them her blessing.

They don't have a ceremony. They just change their documentation again and have a small celebration much like the birthdays with wedding cake and drinks. Sam and Dean give Michael the 'you break his heart, we break your face' talk. Raphael asks if he can make a speech and Lucifer carries their rings, turning the moment into some kind of ceremony anyway.

Michael introduces Adam as his mate to all other angels. The Heaven celebrates too. All the angels Adam and Michael helped have befriended the human after all.

Lucifer permanently moves to Heaven. Adam and Michael finally move into the Milligan house after their tennant finds a new job and moves to the other side of the city. With the new photos, Michael's Elsa blanket draped over the couch which ,Gabriel makes fun of non stop, the other archangels' leftover stuff the house becomes a home again.

Part 1

[kindredsoulsoftimesofold]

Incoming TROS rant

yes, there will be spoilers as I will be breaking down everything I saw tonight. If I manage to type choking on my tears well after the movie finished.

----

FINAL WARNING IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILERS

Let’s start with a few opening words, this rant will indeed be a long one.

ALL THE LEAKS ARE TRUE. And I mean ALL of them. To a T. As soon as I saw the first half was exactly as I’d read, I was crushed. As I knew what was coming. On that note, i was probably the only person in the theatre who was crying like 15-20 minutes before we were supposed to, I’ll get to that in a bit. I’m saving the WORST for last. Let’s break this shit down.

1. The plot is a mess. An actual mess. I feel like every five minutes I was shaking my head and mumbling ‘what kind of nonsense is this’. The breaking of lore or COMMON SENSE really is substantial. But that is definitely not what I cared about, as I already KNEW this even without the leaks. When you can’t get your two directors to FUCKING WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE A COHESIVE STORYLINE it is bound to grasp for straws and make shit up. IT AIN’T NOTHING NEW.

2. Here’s the kicker. THE DIALOGUE WAS SO BAD, it makes Anakin’s AOTC speech seem like a hymn, or poetry or whatever. They CONSTANTLY say what they’re doing, they’re literally reciting the exposition to each other and it comes off as extremely annoying and makes you feel like a toddler. No hate against toddlers, but I’d rather not be one right now. It feels unnatural, forced and STUPID to the point where I would start WISHING for 3PO to come back on screen because Anthony Daniels somehow managed to snag some actually decent lines for once? I love the man, but the droid usually really annoys the crap outta me. He was literally the highlight of the film. Don’t get me started on the stupidity of all of Lando’s lines, poor Billy. Daisy has to stare angrily most of the time so I don’t really care to recall her lines. Adam, my dear Adam, he tries SO HARD to make do with what he was given but even his lines 90% of the time come off as stupid and out of place. Or the worst type in this movie, EXPOSITIONYY. Don’t get me started on Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford. Boys looked like they didn’t sign up for this shit and were literally force choked to be there. I feel you guys, I feel you. ALSO FOR THE LOVE OF THE FORCE THE TIMES THEY REPEATED WORD FOR WORD LINES FROM OTHER MOVIES I WANTED TO SCREAM. Once is too much, THIS MANY TIMES IT IS A FELONY. And it needs to be punished somehow.

3. Let’s get the positives out of the way because there were FEW. The two scenes I actually REALLY enjoyed watching, for different reasons were:

Ben and Palps meeting. The scene was much longer than the clip and SUPER badass. Sheev’s voice echoes, Ben looks fucking cool and the whole scene is GORGEOUS.

The other is when Ben fights as a Jedi in the end. I’ll get to Ben later BELIEVE ME but without overexplaining, he fights with Anakin’s lightsabre, he’s really speedy and is doing all the Jedi spins and whatnot. I fucking ATE THAT UP. Replay that scene forever please CAUSE I LOVED IT. But I was already crying here so we’ll touch more on that later.

To conclude this segment, the visuals were SUPERB, the sound was AMAZING and (some) of the fights were jaw droppingly cool. But that about concludes the positives!

4. I will comment, as I know a lot of people will care even if I don’t particularily. Finn, Poe, Rose and the merry gang aside from our Jedi are reduced to EH this movie. If you thought you’d never miss Rose boy were you wrong. They introduce new characters and expect you to care about them when they SIDELINED the ones they’d hoped you’d care about BEFORE. And it made me care about NO ONE. Not to mention that, sadly, they are ALWAYS reduced to the boring side plot that really isn’t interested or key to much of ANYTHING. Sure they roused the people and all but would’ve been TOAST if Rey didn’t go all Jesus on the fleet. So at the end of the day, you MAY find some enjoyment with the side characters but their lines were some of the worst, you WILL be force fed new people and you might not really enjoy your previous faves here because even I found myself being completely indifferent this time. (I actually really ENJOYED Finn since TFA. He had a compelling storyline and John Boyega was alright. Couldn’t give two wits about him in this movie. Not a single one. But again, I may not be the perfect person to ask if you really,really like any of these characters.

5. Finally, we have arrived to the main event. THE REYLO.

The backbone of this clusterfuck of a new trilogy. The last Skywalker and Palpatine, coming together instead of apart. The arguably BEST actors (legacies aside) Disney managed to get. Now, I will start this off that I didn’t HATE Rey before this movie. I loved her in TFA, enjoyed her less in TLJ but the novelization fixed that. I was BACK ON BOARD to be her number one stan. In this movie, I couldn’t STAND her. Her lines are basically the director walking you through things, her plotline was obviously made last minute so almost none of it makes sense,  I literally wanted to curl up and DIE from cringing so hard every time someone said ‘you’re a Palpatine’. I thought I was looking at a very expensive rendition of terrible fan fiction. (Not to diss fan fiction in any way, you guys will be my heroes after this catastrophe.) ‘Empress Palpatine’, COME THE FUCK ON AND GET OUT WITH THIS SHIT. Bring back crusty old Snoke for crying out loud! Or even HUX! Who got killed off in a second and had three lines of dialogue, not important I guess? Like a great many things I guess, JJ. But, EVEN Palpatine aside, it was great seeing him again and every scene he was in I got chills, who cares that it makes zero sense at this point. Back to reylo.

Ben. Ben Solo Organa Skywalker. The last hope. The final remnant of something I have loved FOREVER. I grew up with Star Wars, like many others just in a different, post prequel era and they are still my favourites. This might sound ridiculous but Star Wars was part of my heart, my happiness. It brought me joy to watch it, read it, fantasize about it and have it in my life when times were dark or miserable. It MEANT something to me, as I am sure many of you will agree. And Ben was part of that. He was part of something that MEANT something to all of us. He was the last line of the characters we all grew up with and loved. The GRANDSON of Anakin, my favourite character of all time. This was their chance to stop the trend that Loki’s death in IW and Daenerys’ death and turn and many others started and STOP killing people who did wrongs. PEOPLE can change, they can grow and they can learn. Hell, to not stray to far from this franchise REY has killed A LOT of people in this movie alone. She DECIMATES the room full of Palpatine’s followers and never blinks an eye. SHE NEARLY KILLS CHEWIE, DOES KILL BEN (for a minute) and SHE DOESN’T NEED TO DIE. Of course she doesn’t but BEN DOESN’T EITHER. After all that YOU JJ, YES YOU, show me that the LAST SKYWALKER has gone through, suffered, alone and frightened. I would’ve ENDED you if you’d suggested killing him off to me, EVER. He was your chance to do a reverse Vader, AS YOU CLAIMED YOU WOULD. To show a character can come back to the light and be worthy of it WITHOUT DYING. You even set it up as such, which is my next and CRUCIAL POINT.

I’ve been a reylo since 2015. Their dynamic has always been fascinating to me and beautiful. I LOVED all the moments in TLJ, LOVED THEM. In this one, every time they force bond (terrible dialogue aside, again) I was happy. I had a hope that she would bring him back from the darkness and he will keep her balanced. WELL, JJ, guess fuck me huh? And anyone with common sense and human decency. JUST WHEN you shove Ben’s turn in my face, you make him talk to Han, you make him strut in to fight alongside Rey in full Ben Solo Jedi mode, hair blown and casually dressed. It was when he runs onto Exegol that I started weeping. Because knowing that he dies as I did, it broke my heart how it was done. You give me the scene where he fights and you give me hope of what his future could’ve been if only you’d listened to reason and done what was supposed to be done. He is chucked into the pit, WHICH MIGHT I ADD WOULD’VE MADE ME MAD IF THAT WAS HIS END BUT WOULD’VE BEEN SOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN WHAT WE GOT, comes back. And now comes the scene that cemented this as the ABSOLUTE WORST insult to me as a fan, possible. Ben is heartbroken that Rey is dead, the moment is sad and he cradles her dead body and hugs her desperately. Which would’ve been a beautiful and GOOD DIFFERENT type of ending. Or rather not having her die at all and being NEAR her death and him saving her and both living happily ever after BUT NO. JJ AFTER THAT has her come back, smile happily when she sees it’s him, her love her hope and the other half of her SOUL literally (the diad or whatever it’s called is so rare that Palpatine was thrilled they’d formed such a bond, basically space soulmates), he has them kiss, then hold each other and smile at each other with genuine feeling of joy and belonging both of them had sought all their life AND THEN YANKS IT FROM UNDER YOU. The scene where Ben falls flat onto his back is quite comical and I couldn’t help but laugh in my misery and sobbing. Rey doesn’t even cry, we don’t even LINGER on his body or mourn him afterwards or even mention it or EVEN SEE her, THE PERSON WHO LITERALLY FOUND HER SOULMATE AND WAS SO HAPPY WHEN SHE KISSED HIM AND WAS LITERALLY SAVED BY HIM, but no guess that doesn’t require a scene, sure, fuck it LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE. The cheery music that plays up until the moment of his fall, YES THE FALL OF SKYWALKER MIND YOU NOT A FUCKING RISE, was an insult to every fan everyhwere, lifelong or recent or otherwise, it was a punch to the gut, a slap in the face and after this happened I no longer paid attention to the movie. I’d been crying for some time leading up to the moment, I knew what was coming and the execution only made it worse and a more desperate cry rather than only sad, I was hoping it wouldn’t happen somehow. I choked back tears until I finally got home and cried. One of the things which MEANT so much to me, was dead. I no longer have any doubts, that this was intentional. Look at Game of thrones, that was this year. It seemed intentional to make series stop, right? Everyone agrees. They wanted to finally bury the Skywalkers so they could make something unrelated? They kill off all the Skywalkers. Well guess what disney? YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO BRING THEM BACK IN THE FIRST PLACE, YOU MONEY HUNGRY PIECE OF SHIT. No one would have minded a new trilogy, with new characters doing NEW things. Why even drag the Skywalkers and the leagies into this if YOU DON’T WANT THEM HERE? All you got was millions of lifelong fans of the old movies who have already felt or are only now beginning to feel BETRAYED. I swear it disney, I don’t want to feel this misery again. You won’t take Star Wars away from me and the joy it brought me. I will without a care in the world dismiss this new trilogy as something completely separate from canon. You’ve killed your own fanbase. You could’ve had us but you LOST us. You dangled something we wanted in front of us for our money and then you ripped it apart.

If you are anything like me, anything like me at all and have loved SW for however long. if it MEANS ANYTHING TO YOU, I beg you not to see this movie or at the very least, pay for it. You WILL feel betrayed, insulted, heartbroken, devastated and miserable, as I am feeling right now. I was supposed to go see this movie another two times but i cannot and will not spend another CENT on a company that chooses to alienate me. Fine, have it your way. I’m done.

This concludes my rant as I am tired and upset. If I missed out on anything and you are interested in anything else, please do DM me or leave a comment :) We’re all in this together now, the reylos the antis the new fans and the old. We’re all in the same heartbreaking boat, I love you all. And I will love Star Wars. The REAL Star Wars forever. I wasn’t even sad the ‘FRANCHISE’ was ending because it wasn’t. It had ended a long, long time ago.

[rosesisupposes]

Ordinary Night

“send me a made-up fic title and i’ll tell you what i would write to go with it”

Prompt Tag

word count: 3,875

pairings: Ex-Anxceit; Background Remile;

warnings: divorce/abandonment; lost child; mentions of depressive and manic episodes; distressed nonverbal episode;

reader tags: @residentanchor​ @royally-anxious​ @bewarethegrammarpolice​ @jemthebookworm​ @arandompasserby​  @sparkly-rainbow-salt​ @astral-eclipse​​ @thelowlysatsuma​ @adorably-angsty​

I came up with the Single Dad AU a while ago but it’s never emerged from Discord to become a full story, but I love it very, very much. So thank you, nonny, for the excuse

Read on Ao3

“Give it back!”

“No, Dad said it’s my turn to pick the movie!”

“You always pick the same one! I’m tired of Winnie the Pooh!”

“But I like it!”

“Can we at least watch the Tigger one?”

“No! Pooh Bear!”

Young voices whined back and forth in an argument that had been held at least once a week for the last three months in the Sanders household. Six-year-old Patton was climbing on top of the couch cushions, brandishing the remote as eight-year-old Roman tried to reclaim it. Their younger brother, four-year-old Logan, watched from the corner in silence.

Their dad entered the room and, with practiced ease, plucked Patton from his teetering perch on the couch.

“Hey, hey, buddy, careful, okay? You might fall from up there!”

“Daaddd, Ro is trying to take my night again!”

The single father balanced his middle son on his hip as he looked sternly down his eldest.

“Roman, what have we talked about with movie nights?”

The second-grader sighed heavily, crossing his arms. “He gets to pick whatever movie he wants,” he recited, blowing strawberry blonde hair out of his eyes. “Even if it’s boring.”

“Pooh Bear isn’t boring!” Patton objected loudly, making his father wince from the volume.

“Is too!”

“Is not!”

“Boys. We will skip movie night entirely if you can’t behave,” Dad warned. Both children immediately went silent, but stuck tongues out at each other when they thought Dad couldn’t see.

“I’m going on an adventure, so that at least not all of today is boring,” Roman announced, running to the toy box for his tiny foam sword. “Where’s my noble steed?”

“I wanna come!” Patton cried, wriggling out of his father’s hold. Taking the remote back, Dad let him go as a small smile crept up at the corners of his mouth. How quickly they went from feuding to playing.

“Let’s go slay a dragon!” Roman cried, stabbing the air.

“What if we fight a witch?” said Patton with huge eyes, grabbing his matching foam shield.

“A dragon-witch!” Roman announced happily. “Lolo, wanna come?”

The youngest looked at the floor through glasses he already needed. “…don’ wanna”

“Aw, Lolo, you sure?”

“…scary,” the toddler said.

“We’ll protect you,” Patton said, crouching to look in his brother’s eyes. “Roro is the best knight ever! And I have a shield!”

Logan shook his head. Patton sighed and carefully patted his hand. “Next time? But only if you wanna, okay?”

Satisfied at the small nod, Patton trotted upstairs. Roman cast around before crouching behind the couch. “Ah! My steed!” he said happily. He stood with a cat in his arms. The tom bore being carried with long-suffering patience, held around the middle by small arms that could only just make it all the way around.

“Ro, be careful with Thomas, okay?” Dad warned. “Pat’s taken his medicine, but don’t let him bury his face in fur again.”

“Yes, I’ll be careful,” Roman said with all the indignance a eight-year-old could muster. He jauntily strode up the stairs after his brother, arms full of cat and sword.

His father watched him go as he settled on the couch. Logan crawled up into his lap and settled there, sitting up straight but balanced on his dad’s knee.

“Hey there, L. No adventure today?”

Logan shook his head.

“Just don’t want to, or something wrong?”

The little boy was silent.

“How is touching today? Thumbs up?” his dad asked, hand creating the gesture he referred to. His son responded in kind. Moving slowly, Dad pulled Logan into his chest, resting a hand lightly in the boy’s dark brown hair.

“Do you have the words for the something wrong, or is it just bad?” he asked softly.

“…miss Papa,” Logan replied, turning his head fully into Dad’s chest.

His father kissed the top of his head and held him close. He knew of his son’s tears from the dampness on his shirt rather than any sounds or shaking. When he could finally speak evenly, he replied, “I miss him too, Lolo.”

“When does he come back?”

“Maybe never.”

“Why?”

“I wish I knew, kiddo. I’m sorry I can’t give you a good reason.”

Logan clutched at the fabric of Dad’s shirt, still not looking up.

His father kissed his head again and leaned back against the couch, looking up at the ceiling as he blinked away tears. He was so tired of crying, so tired of knowing neither he nor his sons might ever understand why their other father had left. But it had been months without any communication, since they came home from the park to an empty house and a missing suitcase.

Three young boys, one beloved cat, one father who’d just lost the love of his life and his partner parent all at once. That was the Sanders household now. A night of childish yells and tears from the boys and their father alike: this was an ordinary night.

So how was Dad doing? He was a nervous wreck, of course. If he’d been a bit on edge before, it was nothing compared to the absolute personification of anxiety Virgil had become now.

As he breathed deeply to calm himself, Virgil ran a hand lightly through Logan’s soft, wavy hair. “What do you say to some Magic School Bus before dinner, Lo? Would that be good?”

“Mmhmm,” the toddler said with a nod, sliding off his dad’s lap.

As Virgil stood, Logan reached for his hand and pulled him towards the stairs. Virgil let himself be led to the smallest bedroom, where Logan immediately went to his small but growing book collection. He pulled out a CD that Virgil then placed in the small speakers he’d bought, back when he and his ex had adopted Roman. The “Baby Boombox,” Ethan had called it, as he filled Ro’s room with all his favorite Broadway soundtracks and Disney ballads. Then had come Patton, with Raffi songs and lullabies because they were the only things that would send him to sleep smiling when Roman was still active during naptime. And now there was Logan, who was soothed by the smooth strains of classical musicals and who listened with rapt attention (if not complete understanding) to audiobooks of all kinds. Virgil popped in Logan’s choice, “Lost in Space” and set it to play. Logan scooted his tiny plush chair as close as he could to the speaker and sat, staring up in wonder as his favorite narrator read about Ms. Frizzle’s class and whirling planets. Without interrupting, Virgil slipped out of his youngest son’s room and made his way to the kitchen to start dinner.

The pasta was cooking and the sauce bubbling on the stove when Virgil’s phone buzzed against the counter. He glanced at the screen and smiled.

If the past year had taught him anything, it was just how important family could be. He and his brother use to have a rather rocky relationship, never spending much time together. Unfortunately, Ethan had been part of the reason for the rift - Remy had never liked his brother-in-law and was never any good at hiding it. Normally when he was proven right about anything, Remy held it over his younger brother’s head for the rest of their lives. But not this time. Not when they’d sparked into full-on screaming matches over the years as Virgil asserted that Remy was wrong about Ethan. He was a good partner and an amazing father. He’d even said it, hadn’t he? His biggest ambition in life was to be a good papa.

Guess that had been a lie, too.

But no amount of friction and distance could have kept Remy away the night Virgil had called in tears. “Nuncle” Remy had been a near-constant fixture in the Sanders house ever since, particularly in those first couple of months. It had been Remy who’d suggested Virgil get the boys to therapists early, right after the split. It had been Remy’s husband Emile who’d found them matches among his colleagues, ones who made the boys feel safe and heard. It had been those therapists who discovered the reason behind Roman’s mood swings, identifying his bipolar personality disorder early and helping Virgil to get him the appropriate treatment. It had been Emile who’d cautiously suggested he get Logan fully evaluated for autism, and found him compassionate parenting resources to help relate and communicate with Lo better. Virgil would be a wreck without his brother and brother-in-law – or, rather, he’d be more of a wreck.

Which is why, when Logan went missing, Remy was the instinctual first call.

He’d heard Roman and Patton bounce down the stairs into the den, making dramatic sound effects as they fought their dragon-witch. He hadn’t heard the door open, or the soft steps of Logan following his brothers downstairs. He hadn’t seen Thomathy the tomcat be loosed into the yard as Roman cried, “Ride into the sunset, noble steed!” He hadn’t seen Logan stand on his tiptoes to re-open the door and follow the cat outdoors.

He’d just called for the older two boys and gone upstairs to get Logan when he’d found the CD player off and the chair empty. And that’s when the panic had kicked in.

“Lolo?” he called upstairs.

“Buddy?” he asked the den.

“Logan?!” he almost screeched into the basement.

Roman and Patton were obediently sitting at the kitchen table, fidgeting, when Virgil re-entered, eyes ablaze. “Where’s your brother? Was he playing with you?”

“No, he was too scared,” Roman scoffed.

Patton, on the other hand, looked concerned. “I think maybe he followed us? He was trying to pet Tommy.”

“Where is Thomas?” their father asked, the edge in his voice rising. “You were playing with him, where did he go?”

Roman shrank in his seat as he realized this was more than just make-believe. “He… I wanted him to be free?” He pointed to the back door with a shaky hand.

Virgil stared at his eldest son, biting back harsh words of frustration. He was eight, he didn’t know better yet. But the panic was rising, thrumming through his veins and disrupting his ability to think straight.

He grabbed his phone and hit the speed dial to Remy.

“Rem? I need you here,” he said the minute his brother picked up. “Logan got out of the house chasing the cat.”

“Shit, okay, I’ll be there in 5,” Remy said, already hanging up before Virgil could point out that he lived a ten-minute drive away. He arrived in three. Normally his driving habits pissed Virgil the hell off, but at that moment, it was all he can do to not cry in relief as he grabbed a flashlight and his extensive first aid kit from under the sink and ran out the back door.

Remy was soon placing himself bodily in front of the door to prevent either older brother from charging after.

“I’m a bad prince, I’m the villain,” Roman choked out through his tears. “It’s all my fault.”

“I gotta keep him safe!” Patton said. He tried and failed to climb onto the counter, but grabbed what ‘supplies’ he could reach into his school bag, a collection of juiceboxes and goldfish and band-aids.

“Hey, hey, little dudes, c’mon,” Remy said, trying to sound as soothing as possible. “C’mere.”

They were just small enough and he was just big enough to gather them both into his arms at once, even as they wriggled and tried to escape.

“Dad’s gonna get Lo back, okay? They’ll both be back soon,” he said, carrying the boys to the couch. “And Tomma-llama-ding-dong too.” He placed them both on the couch. They were both red-eyed and drippy-noed, but no longer trying to make a break for it. He grabbed tissues and wiped their faces and noses, moving gently. He watched Roman particularly hard. He’d been present for downward spirals before, when the mania and hyperactivity fell, gradually or suddenly, into dark days where the boy could barely get out of bed.

Remy ran soft fingers through Roman’s light hair, remembering. The worst depressive episode had lasted a full week and a half, and Virgil had been despondent. It was right after that bastard Virgil’s ex had walked out on them, and of course Virgil had blamed himself, telling Remy that Ro’s depression was all his fault for not being a good enough father. He would have curled up around his boy and begged him to be okay, if Remy hadn’t sat on his chest reminded him that he had two other sons that needed him. Childish? Yes, quite literally, sitting on him was Remy’s favorite way of picking on his little brother when they had been children themselves. But it had worked, and Roman was getting treatment now, both medications and therapy, and both his uncles and his dad had learned strategies to help keep him from getting trapped in his up- and down-swings.

Now, Patton imitated Remy, patting a slightly-stick hand on Roman’s shoulder in a sweet attempt at grounding techniques. More than any of the boys, Patton took after Virgil, always trying to keep his brothers safe. He was fierce in his defense of them towards others, but gentle and soft when he saw them sad. Remy ruffled Patton’s honey-gold curls with his free hand and stood. He had Roman and Patton Sanders in his care, and they were sad and worried. It was time for some Disney movies.

The sun was falling below the horizon as Logan followed the family cat into the woods behind their house. He trotted as fast as his still-chubby toddler legs could carry him, following the brown-and-black striped tail of the big tabby. Galloping paws quickly carried the pet out of sight, but Logan kept plodding along in the same vague direction. Scarcely noticing the growing dark, he clutched his worn, stuffed octopus tightly in one hand as he walked further and further into the forest. When Papa had asked when he wanted to name it, he’d looked up and said “Octopus.” His tone had been one of “Well, duh,” and his voice had been so deadpan for a three-year-old that Virgil had fallen into intermittent fits of giggles for hours after. But he’d carried it continuously ever since, particularly as he listened to his books on the deep sea. He clutched it tight as he finally caught up to Thomas. The tabby had found a mossy patch under a tree, caught in the last patch of sunlight, and curled up contently. Logan sat next to him and patted his head, content that he’d finally done what he set out to do. But looking up, the toddler realized he could no longer see the edge of the forest and wasn’t sure which direction he’d come from. He was in the middle of the forest, alone, with no notion of how to get home. Logan didn’t cry, or yell, or flail. He just froze, everything locking down in the face of a situation he didn’t understand and couldn’t solve. He might have stood like that for minutes or hours, but Thomcat chose that moment to stand with a stretch and wind his way around his smallest family member, purring as he rubbed up against Logan’s short legs. The warmth drew him out of his paralysis, and he sat heavily on the mossy stump. The cat leapt into his lap, covering most of his tiny torso in warm fur as the beloved pet continued to purr. Clutching tufts of Thomas’ fur in one hand and Octopus in the other, Logan’s emotions thawed and he started to sniffle, then cry aloud. His hiccups and sobs reverberated off the unfamiliar trees that surrounded him.

Virgil crashed through the trees, flashlight and first aid kit in hand, trying his best to keep a level head. Logan was missing. His little boy, the tiniest, quietest member of their family, was alone, somewhere probably dying in the forest definitely kidnapped by child stealers lost in the unfriendly woods. He’d made that promise, over and over again through the long adoption process: he would keep his sons safe. He would protect them. He wouldn’t let anything dangerous happen to them. Ethan may not have meant it, but Virgil had, with every fiber of his being. He would keep his family safe, every single member.

He trusted Remy to be a good caretaker to Pat and Ro right now, but he worried for his eldest. He just dashed into ideas and plans without thinking, so much more than either of his brothers. And of course, Virgil knew why. A memory sprang to life like a film reel in his head without his bidding.

“Papa, look at me! I’m gonna be just like Peter Pan! I can fly!”

“Of course you can, Roro! If you wish hard enough!”

A summer day, lazy and bathed in golden light. It had been magical in a way - no wonder Roman had believed in super abilities. But that moment, Virgil had finally seen what was happening as he rounded the corner, an infant Logan strapped to his chest and Patton holding his hand.

“Fly- Roro! Kiddo, please get down from the roof!”

Ethan had just chuckled. “Shhh, V, he’ll probably be fine. He’s gotta learn somehow, right?”

Patton, all of three years old and still lisping, had shook a finger at his older brother.

“Wowo, get down fwom thewe!”

“You can’t stop me, ‘m a PRINCE!” the five-year-old had yelled back, approaching the edge of the shed roof.

Virgil had dropped Pat’s hand to run, shrieking more than speaking as he yelled, “Roman Sanders, do not jump off that roof! You’re going to get down safely!”

Ethan had barely budged, too busy laughing his ass off. It had ended up being Virgil alone who helped Roman get down, letting him be Dad the Downer while Papa stayed ‘the fun one’ in Roman’s eyes. Was it any wonder he’d blamed himself for Ro’s bipolar swings?

But he’d learned better since then. Being a ‘fun’ dad didn’t matter at all if he couldn’t keep them safe, first and foremost. He would find his little boy, and their cat, and he would bring them home. He checked his first aid kit as he walked and sighed with relief. He’d remembered to re-stock it recently. In addition to the bandages and ice packs and ointments and band-aids in everyone’s favorite characters, he’d packed everyone’s favorite treats. He had cat treats for Thomas, which he immediately took out and started wafting, and he had tiny containers of Crofter’s jelly, Logan’s only favorite food that he always wanted to eat, no matter his mood. Virgil listened to the forest hard for any noise besides the rustling wind. He had his flashlight turned on even before the sun fully set, to make sure Logan would see him coming. His heart still raced, frantically pointing out every passing second and minute that his son remained missing. Every moment he was out here was another moment he could be tripping over roots or eating poisonous berries or getting a rash or being abducted or hitting his head or…

Deep breaths, Virge, he reminded himself. In for four. Hold for seven. Out for eight. The calming reminders in his head spoke with Emile’s voice, gentle and soothing. He could only do his job as Dad if he kept his head and stayed alert. He listened hard again, noting small animals, leaves falling, choked sobs, branches cracking, distant cars, and -

Sobs! Where were they coming from?

He picked up his pace, needing to double back a couple times before he was heading in the direction of the noise. He swept his flashlight in front of him with one hand and shook the cat treats with the other as he called out.

“Logan? Is that you? Logan? Thomas?”

The sobs stopped abruptly, and the flashlight beam illuminated a tiny form unraveling itself from a fluffy one almost the same size. “Dada?”

Virgil sprinted the last few yards. He worried for a moment that Logan might need to avoid touch right now, but that fear was dispelled with the toddler threw himself into his father’s arms.

“Lolo, are you alright? I was so worried, kiddo! Did you hurt yourself? Were you scared? I’m here, I’ll get you home, okay?”

“Dada, ‘m sorry.”

“Why sorry, Loberry?”

“I was bad, an’ I got lost,” Logan said, gripping Virgil’s jacket and Octopus with equal tightness.

“Oh, my little Lo, no, you weren’t bad. We should have been with you, I should have been watching. I’m so sorry, honeybear. But you’re safe now, okay? We’re gonna go home.”

Virgil knelt, picking up Logan and balancing him on one hip, then picking up a long-suffering Thomas and draping the cat over his shoulder. He was a bit encumbered by his first aid kit, but nothing could bother him now that his little boy was safely in his arms.

Searching for Logan had felt like an eternity, but had been less than 20 minutes. When father and son and cat entered the back door, the Disney movie (Sleeping Beauty, Remy’s choice) hadn’t yet finished. The door closing woke up Roman and Patton from where they had dozed off, but they were immediately up and hugging Virgil’s legs.

Their father ruffled their heads as he gentled let Logan stand on his own, then pulled them all into a group hug.

“We’re gonna talk tomorrow, okay, kiddos? About Thomas safety and Lolo safety. But tonight we’ll just relax together, now that we’re all home. I love you all so much.”

“I love you, Dad”

“Love you too!”

“Me too, Dada.”

By the end of the night and the second movie (Atlantis, Logan’s request, and Patton had conceded that he didn’t want any movies with woods), the Sanders house had quieted. Virgil could feel his heartbeat return to normal for the first time in hours as he gazed fondly at his sons. All three had fallen asleep, sprawled across the couch and Virgil’s lap. Remy had helped them change before heading home with a last firm hug and reassurance that, “You done good, bro.” Logan’s head rested on Virgil’s thigh, the horn of his unicorn onesie flopping over as he slept. Patton was snuggled up as close as Logan had okayed, cat ears folded over on his one onesie. And Roman had pulled a pillow on the ground so that he could be next to all of them, a tiny lion defending his pride in the onesie that he was practically “too old for,” but that he’d still wear when Pat asked him to. Thomas the tomcat, exhausted by his forest adventure, was curled into a ball in a laundry basket.

So how was Dad doing?

He’d never be completely at ease, not with so much depending on him, not with so many obstacles to overcome. But for tonight, Virgil was content.

[thesinglesjukebox]

IDINA MENZEL & AURORA - INTO THE UNKNOWN

[5.83]

[Knock, knock, knock-knock, knock] Do you want to build a sequel?

Jessica Doyle: Given Disney's current reputation for nostalgic repetition, I was pleasantly surprised to find Frozen II full of ideas -- in fact so full of ideas that almost none of them actually get developed with any coherence. (Whose voice was it again? And why is Olaf suddenly obsessed with aging? And how was a troop of Arendellian soldiers going missing without a trace for three decades not an issue? Et cetera.) "Into the Unknown" is as good a preview of the incoherence as any, as the song makes no sense narratively, psychologically (having spent all but the last six months of her life being taught decorum and self-distrust to the point of pathology, Elsa is ready to flee Arendelle because she... hears a voice?), or musically: the build-up to the chorus is repeatedly off-puttingly paced, most clearly in the "How... do I... follow... YOUUUUU" climactic line. But then again, I can say all this with authority because my older daughter, who was well finished with the first movie, is insisting on playing the soundtrack on the way to school. Maybe stuffing your sequels full of ideas and not worrying too much about the implications is more profitable than Bob Iger is willing to admit. [4]

Wayne Weizhen Zhang: It's impossible to discuss "Into the Unknown" without discussing the massive success of "Let It Go." "Let it Go" was the rare type of cultural touchstone whose power was almost universal: it sold 11 million copies the year after the movie came out, won an Academy Award and Grammy, reached top five on the Billboard Hot 100, was translated into 44 different languages, and arguably paved the way for Disney to release a second movie and Broadway musical. Winter 2013-2014 when the movie came out, I remember singing this song in French during French class; in 2020, I'm putting on a musical production of Frozen with my students in China and every one of them -- inexplicably, even the ones who really don't speak English -- knows the words to the chorus. This is all to say: expectations for the second Frozen soundtrack were sky-high, and thus, "Into the Unknown" has been sold as the new "Let It Go" almost since before the movie was even released. (I'd argue that "Show Yourself" is a better thematic follow-up, but never mind me.) So does "Into the Unknown" live up to the hype? Not exactly; but to no fault of its own. The song works perfectly well as a way to advance the character development of Elsa and is gorgeously sung. Idina Menzel sells trepidation, fear, and excitement convincingly, and harmonizes with Aurora beautifully. It pays tribute to its listeners too; if "Let it Go" is a child's anthem about becoming the person you have always been despite what others think, "Into the Unknown" is the adult version of that, a song about escaping the comfortable life you've built in hopes of finding something new about the world and yourself. The song is doomed to live in the shadow of its predecessor, but is still excellent in its own right. [8]

Jonathan Bradley: "Let It Go" was, for all its power, an introspective ballad that turned on the first Frozen's theme of the liberating wonder of self-discovery. Its successor, "Into the Unknown," is tasked with maneuvering great wedges of plot into position, meaning it has to be the film's showstopper as well as taking on narrative weight that "Love is an Open Door" and "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" bore first time around. (The piano flurries that form the intro deliberately invoke the latter.) Aurora's four-note motif, the sinuous call that leads Idina Menzel's Elsa out of a resolved story and the security of her home of Arendelle, is appropriately otherworldly, but the song needs far too much to be overwhelming to allow that delicate melody the space it needs to be as entrancing as it is supposed to be. But "Into the Unknown" does eventually manage to be more than stage-setting; "Are you someone out there who's a little bit like me/Who knows deep down I'm not where I'm meant to be" is a couplet that speaks to that deep-seated sense of strangeness Elsa sees within herself and which has made her movies more than a toddler-sized-blue-dress dissemination mechanism. Something else helps: Menzel's horizon-shattering wail when she hits "unknown." The voice that defied gravity on "Defying Gravity" has the heft to move these big wedges of plot to where they need to go. [7]

Katie Gill: Whereas "Let it Go" was "Defying Gravity" reskinned, "Into the Unknown" is every musical theater "I want" song reskinned. Elsa wants to see how far she'll go, she's gotta find her corner of the sky, and for once it might be grand to have someone understand. As such, it's something we've heard before. A decent re-interpretation of something we've heard before with downright beautiful harmonies near the end, but something we've heard before nonetheless. "Into the Unknown" also fails in the job it's supposed to do: be inoffensive and singable enough that five year olds or my drunk ass can sing it through all the way without disaster happening. That last "into the unKNOOO-OOOOO-OOO-OOOOOWN" is very nice and very powerful and is comprised of notes that six-year-old girls and my exceedingly alto range cannot hit. But, like "Let it Go" before it, this is a song that Disney has carefully crafted and reverse-engineered and is putting so much pressure to be an actual hit. Of course it's going to be decent. Not as amazing as "Let it Go," which is easily a [9] on a good day and a [10] when I'm drunk, but a solid song nonetheless and one that I won't mind hearing when Idina inevitably performs it at the Oscars or when my five-year-old second cousin starts happily talking to me about Frozen at the next family reunion. [7]

Jackie Powell: Although Elsa doesn't build an ice castle at the conclusion of this power ballad, "Into The Unknown" doesn't need to be accompanied by gigantic visuals for it to be a much more complex and fascinating song than its predecessor. This track soars and it uses a potent string section, predictable but equally fun percussive cymbal crashes and Aurora's eerie dies irae gregorian chant as a counter melody. There's a certainty in "Let It Go" and that must be one of the reasons why it caught on as much as it did. But the difference in "Into the Unknown" is its obvious ambiguity in subject matter and tone. It's not sure of itself, but I don't think that detracts from its quality. That's why I don't think it's really all that comparable to "Let It Go." Its goals and motives are different. It's more mature in lyrical plot and composition. "Into the Unknown" takes leaps and breaths just as Elsa does when she's contemplating her next move. That's the beauty of the track, which composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez have addressed. Each line in each chorus is symbolic. In every "Into the Unknown" within the refrain, Idina Menzel takes a leap sonically. First, she travels an octave higher, which is a relatively safe interval, but then that is followed by the much more difficult intervals as the chorus ends. Menzel's voice goes up a ninth followed by an eleventh. Vocally she's out of her comfort zone, which pushes Elsa to do the same. The melody is clearly a bit choppier. It also bounces especially on the couplet of alliterations: " I'm sorry, secret siren, but I'm blocking out your calls." Its dynamics are much more defined and that's credit to Menzel, who wanted to sell the track as more than a "Let It Go" B-side. The extended queer metaphor that Elsa represents is able to flourish under "Unknown." Although it really shows itself much more later in the soundtrack. [7]

Edward Okulicz: Yeah, look, Frozen II: Heterosexuality Reclaims the Throne of Arendelle gave me plenty of feels too, but I always preferred "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" to "Let It Go," so this wasn't one of the Primary Feels Sources. The use of Aurora's four note call as a leitmotif is pretty clever melodically, but forcing this song and its narrative pivot kicking and screaming into being an "I Want" song (subclassification: "I Must," which if it doesn't already exist, it, well... should) is unbecoming. The asides ("which I don't") feel unnatural away from the cinema, and while Menzel surely blasts with those notes I don't feel moved when I replay. [6]

Brad Shoup: It's quenching when, in the second half of the second verse, Menzel dips into some jump-blues phrasing. There was no way this thing was going to stay an Arctic tone poem, so I'm grateful for moments like that. Toss out the movie and have Menzel reel in the asides, and you'd have a fantastically mysterious piece of piano-pop. [7]

Thomas Inskeep: I've never seen either of the Frozen films, but I recall how annoying I found "Let It Go," from the first film. This is better (though still, of course, a big Broadway-style ballad); I appreciate how this song will likely speak to theatre kids who feel like the weirdos in their schools -- songwriters Kristin Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, obviously, have a knack for this kind of thing. Having Broadway queen Idina Menzel sing it helps, as does the clever move of having Norwegian singer Aurora sing the part of the siren. Judged for what it is, rather than as a basic pop record, this is solid. [6]

Ashley Bardhan: As a recuperating former theater kid, I hoped this strange collaboration would be everything I wanted but couldn't admit. Unfortunately, it turned out to be nothing I wanted, which I feel comfortable admitting. I'm not sure what Aurora is meant to do on this track other than supply wordless, ghostly ooo-ing, which opens you to a sense of mysterious possibility that goes absolutely nowhere. Idina Menzel is a powerhouse and typically good at convincing us that we are in her character's world, but even she sounds bored at the incongruously triumphant swelling of orchestra during the chorus. She calls out from the overblown composition, "Into the unknown! Isn't it cool that I'm hitting this E-flat in chest voice?!" Yes, it is very cool, but less so that the last 40 seconds of this song is essentially musical theatre sacrilege. A money-maker high-note chorus into a painfully loud bridge that conveys absolutely no mood other than "me and Aurora are both singing right now," only to end with a very embarrassing, ham-fisted belted note? And they had the audacity to let Idina put a slide in there? No, no. No, no, no. No. [3]

Alfred Soto: No, no, I mean -- let me go. [3]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: Even more than the first installment, Frozen II was lacking in songs that were memorable in and of themselves. "Lost in the Woods," for example, is really only notable for the animation that accompanied it: a montage riffing on '80s music videos that proved unexpectedly entertaining. "Into the Unknown" is the film's best song, but the music doesn't quite match what the lyrics are trying to convey: Why is the first chorus so bombastic when Elsa's not yet convinced to follow this siren's song? At least "Let It Go" knew how to accomplish a sensible narrative arc with its use of dynamic range. "Unknown" doesn't come together as neatly as "Let It Go" either, which found a lot of meaning in the evolving delivery of "the cold never bothered me anyway." The complaints could go on but at the end of the day, I can't really hate something that finds Aurora using kulning -- Scandinavian herding calls -- as a narrative tool. [5]

Tobi Tella: I was 13 when the first Frozen came out, and despite the fact that I probably should've been too old for Disney princess movies by the unspoken middle school social construct standards, I dragged my dad to see it in theaters. That probably should've been his first inkling that I was gay, and as clear as Disney's attempts to play on my emotions were as a shy insecure gay kid, the introverted, uncomfortable princess Elsa was the most accurate representation I had really found of myself in a kids movie. "Let It Go" was not only a cultural moment but a formative one and even though looking back as an adult I know that Frozen has flaws, I can't help but be empowered by it now. This song was set up to fail by its positioning it as "Let It Go II," and the seams of this one are far more clear; the chorus is literally just one phrase repeated and the lyrics are prime "leave nothing to the imagination or subtext and explain all your feelings." But I still feel an intense connection to this; maybe it's Menzel's strong and evocative vocal performance, maybe it's nostalgia, and maybe it's the feeling that even as a 19 year old my experience with my identity is not even close to over, the fact that there will always be unknowns which are horrifying yet intriguing (hello adult gay dating!). I'm not sure if this is a great song, or even a good one, but for a sequel with impossibly huge expectations it managed to evoke the same intense reaction that "Let It Go" did, so I guess Disney and their manipulations win this round. [7]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox]

[theycallmebeccawrites]

Chris & Ellie Bonus: Our Little Family

With Tumblr holding my original writing blog @beccaheartschrisevans captive (aka flagged as explicit), I have made a secondary writing blog and may end up closing the other all together. In the meantime, I am reposting all of my stories on my new blog.

Pairing: Chris Evans x Ellie Spencer (OFC)

Rating: PG

Warnings: n/a

Disclaimer: This work of fiction is not to be reposted, used or translated without my permission.

Chris & Ellie Bonus Stories Masterlist | Chris & Ellie Masterlist

December 20, 2028

Chris Evans let himself into the old barn that he and Ellie had converted into home offices for both of them in the loft and a game/media room on the main floor. He quickly reheated the soup he'd carried from the main farm house kitchen then climbed the stairs to where Ellie was working on her second novel.

"Lunch is served," he said, making his presence known.

"It smells amazing," she replied, turning away from her computer screen.

Chris set the soup on the TV tray next to her and smiled as she dug into the soup. He smiled as she moaned over the taste of his mom's famous chicken noodle soup and he was reminded of the first time he served it to her over fifteen years ago.

"Did you hear from your mom?" Ellie asked in between sips of soup.

"Yes, she called while the kids and I were eating lunch," he replied. "The presents and our winter clothes got there this morning and she's already put the winter gear in the van for when she picks us up tomorrow at the airport."

"Good," Ellie nodded. "And the kids?"

"The twins are napping," he told her. "And I told the boys to set out what they wanted to take to Boston on their beds. As soon as I get back to the house, I'll double check what they've pulled out and supervise them putting it in their suitcases."

"Send them with twice as many socks and underwear," she said. "They never seem to have enough when we're there."

"Noted," Chris nodded. He stole a glance at her computer screen. "How goes the writing today?"

"Good," Ellie replied. "I think I should be done by dinner and then I'll get it sent to my editor and I'll be done for the rest of the year."

Though she still worked as an editor, Ellie had written her first novel when she'd been pregnant with the twins, a little over three years ago. The whole process from writing to publishing it had taken nearly a year and a half and had taken its toll on her. She had put off starting her second book until this past fall and was now trying to get the final chapters to her editor before the December 31st due date so she could enjoy the last two weeks of the year with Chris and the kids.

Tomorrow, she, Chris and their five kids—Tommy, 9 ¾, Marcus, 8, and Scottie, 6 ½, Penny, 2, and Stephy, 2—were headed to Boston to spend Christmas Chris's family. After Christmas, the whole Evans family would be spending a few days down in Florida at Disney World. Chris, Ellie and the kids would spend New Year's Eve traveling back to Oregon so the boys would be ready to go back to school on January 2nd.

"How does pizza sound for dinner?" Chris suggested, wanting an easy dinner for the night before they left.

"That sounds perfect," Ellie agreed as she finished eating her soup. "Thank you for lunch, Chris."

"You're welcome," he replied. He gave her a quick kiss then gathered her dishes and left the barn. He made his way back to the old farmhouse that he and Ellie had purchased the Christmas after they'd gotten married.

It had been his idea for them to settle down in Oregon and it had been a lucky chance that they had fallen in love with a farm a few miles down the road from her parents' place. They had rented out most of their land to their surrounding neighbors, but they had kept the barn. The first couple years they'd owned the house it had been a construction zone. They had done as much as they could to conserve the charm of the 100 year old house, but they had also upgraded it with modern necessities. They had also added four small guest cabins with small kitchenettes for when his mom and siblings came to visit.

Entering the house via the mudroom door, Chris toed off his shoes and then made his way into the kitchen. He froze in the doorway when he saw his and Ellie's twin daughters, Penelope and Stephanie, sitting on the counter with the cookie jar open between them. Sitting on the ground in front of them were the family's dogs: Duchess the golden retriever and Nemo the chocolate lab.

"How did you two get downstairs?" Chris asked as he quickly crossed the kitchen. He put Ellie's dishes in the sink and then positioned himself in front of the twins.

"Cookie, dada," Steph said, holding out a slobbery cookie to him.

"You two are little cookie bandits," Chris shook his head. He grabbed a toddler with each arm and nestled them on his hips before he made his way to the stairs, the dogs following him. As the five of them climbed the stairs, he saw that the gate at the top of the stairs was wide open. "BOYS!"

It took a second, but soon all three of his sons were standing in the doorways to their rooms looking at him.

"Who left the toddler gate open?" Chris asked.

"Tommy was the last one upstairs," Scottie tattled.

"Do you three want to know where I found the twins?" Chris asked and then continued without their responses. "They were sitting on the kitchen counter eating cookies when I came back from taking mom her lunch. If the gate had been closed, they wouldn't have gotten down the stairs."

"Sorry, dad," Robert Thomas, "Tommy", muttered as he looked down at his feet.

"We were lucky neither of them got hurt," Chris said. "Just remember next time."

Tommy nodded and disappeared into his room.

"Let me clean up the girls and put them back in their room and then I'll come help you two," Chris told his younger sons.

"Ok, daddy," Scott Wilson nodded before running back into the room he shared with Marcus.

"I'll close the gate," Marcus Alexander offered.

"Thanks, buddy," Chris smiled. He carried the twins into the bathroom and set them down. "You two finished eating your cookies?"

The two blondes nodded their heads and held out their sticky fingers. Chris grabbed a washcloth and got it wet before he knelt down and cleaned up both girls. Once he was finished, he tossed the washcloth down the laundry shoot, making a mental note to do another load of laundry tonight, and then carried the girls back to their room.

"You two need to take a nap," he said, tucking them into the twin bed they shared. They had tried putting them in different toddler beds, but they hadn't liked that at all. So they had gotten a twin bed for them to share. "I love you two."

"Wuv you," Penny smiled up at him.

Chris kissed both girls on the head and then left the room, closing the door behind him. He checked the gate to make sure it was closed and then told Duchess to guard it. The five-year-old golden retriever walked over to the gate and then laid down in front of it.

"Good girl," Chris smiled.

Chris spent the next hour helping his sons pack their suitcases as well as their backpacks with things to do on the plane. Little Scottie hadn't laid out any clothes to pack as he had been more interested in choosing which toys to take to Boston. Since he didn't care about what clothes he had to wear, Chris picked out his outfits and then packed them into the suitcase. Marcus, on the other hand, had laid out too many clothes and it had taken a lot of discussion to narrow it down to what he actually needed to take. When it came to checking Tommy's suitcase, there had been a discussion about how many shoes he really needed to take to Boston where he would only be wearing snow boots outside and Florida where he was going to need a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of flip flops.

Once the boys' suitcases were packed and carried downstairs, Chris went into the girls' room and quietly packed their bags with the outfits he and Ellie had talked about earlier in the week. By the time he was finished, the twins had woken up from their nap and they slid down the stairs on their stomachs, feet first, as he carried their suitcases down.

It was a little after four in the afternoon when Ellie came into the house with a big grin on her face. "It's finished!" she announced after finding him and the kids watching a movie in the living room.

The boys gave her hugs and she sat down on the couch next to Chris and the twins. The twins quickly abandoned him and cradled themselves against her.

Chris smiled as he watched the three of them. The twins had been a surprise addition to their family at the end of October two years ago, Stephanie Marie on the 29th and Penelope Anne on the 30th. They were officially "Super Bowl Babies" as they had been born nine months after the Patriots had won the Super Bowl.

They had done a gender reveal party for the twins, but had found out what they were having in advance, which turned out to be a good thing, because Ellie hadn't been thrilled with the idea of having girls at first. She had been upset with him for a couple days, but then they'd gone to the mall to get some stuff for the boys and he'd found her in the baby girl section crying over the adorable frilly outfits. They'd left the mall with clothes for the boys and sparkly tutus for the girls.

Letting his eyes move to the floor where the boys were stretched out with their eyes glued to the TV, Chris recalled their entrances into the world.

It had taken him and Ellie nearly a year and a half, after they'd gotten married, to get pregnant with Tommy and they'd floated between Oregon, LA and Boston for the first six months of the pregnancy. For the last three months, they'd stayed in Oregon, celebrating Christmas there and planning their first Oregon Super Bowl party in February. Family and friends (including his former roommates and their wives who'd made the trip for the day) had descended on their house with the goal of watching a great game, only to have him and Ellie rush out of the party during the first quarter after her water had broken.

In typical Ellie fashion, she had insisted all morning that she was fine, despite the fact that she was having what she claimed were Braxton Hicks contractions. She had been in the middle of trying to tell her mom that she was fine when her water had broken. Then all hell had broken loose and Chris had jumped into the back seat of his in-law's car while they drove to the hospital. Their family members had come along to the hospital, while their friends had stuck around to help with the party and clean up afterwards.

Robert Thomas had made his appearance a little after nine that night and was the one of the two best things that had happened to his dad that day since his New England Patriots had won the Super Bowl. For their first family photo, Chris had put his Patriots jersey back on and they had wrapped baby Tommy in a Patriots blanket.

Eighteen months later, they'd been back in the hospital when Marcus Alexander made his grand appearance. Chris's mom had come to stay with them in the weeks leading up to Ellie's due date, so she could help with Tommy.

Ellie had woken Chris up in the middle of the night to tell him it was time to go to the hospital. They'd woken up his mom before leaving for the hospital and had asked her to tell everyone else. They were only at the hospital for a little over an hour before Marcus decided it was time to join the world. By the time the rest of the family made it to the hospital, he'd already had his first meal and all three of them were napping.

The naming of their first two boys had been easy; they'd used a family name as well as the name of their favorite quarterbacks: Tom Brady and Marcus Mariota. The hardest part had been deciding which boy would get which name, but they had settled that with a quick best out of 3 paper, scissors, rock. Surprisingly, it had been Ellie who had won, but when she had laid her eyes on her first born, she'd known he was a Tommy. And she'd had the same feeling with her second when she saw him for the first time, he'd been a Marcus.

Two years later, Scott Wilson arrived. Unlike his two older brothers, both who'd come a week or two early, Scottie stayed until he was threatened with eviction. Their middle of November baby became their Thanksgiving baby and ultimately their early December baby when he finally arrived December 1st.

He was named after his Uncle Scott, who was a supporter of Chris and Ellie's relationship even when they hadn't been. His middle name, Wilson, was Ellie's mom's maiden name and not a nod to the former Seahawks Quarterback (or so Ellie claimed). He was an easy going baby and practically started laughing in the womb. He was the perfect combination of Chris and Ellie in looks while his older brothers favored one parent over the other: Tommy more like Ellie and Marcus more like Chris.

Chris was pulled out of his thoughts when two little hands patted his cheeks. Blinking, he looked down and saw Steph sitting in his lap.

"Piza, dada, piza!" she said.

"You want pizza?" he asked her.

She nodded.

"Do the rest of you want pizza, too?" Chris asked.

"YES!" the boys shouted and the girls mimicked seconds later.

"Alright, everyone go get your shoes on," Chris instructed. "We'll take the dogs to Meme and Papa's and then we'll go to the pizza place."

"The one with laser tag?" Tommy asked.

"Sure, why not," Chris nodded.

"YES!" Tommy exclaimed.

"Should we invite everyone?" Ellie asked.

"Why not," Chris nodded. "It'll mean we get to play laser tag too."

"Yes!" Ellie exclaimed in a perfect imitation of their son.

An hour later, Chris found himself helping distribute pizza to the kids table. His boys and their cousins, both older and younger, were talking and laughing about everything from comic books to tv shows. It filled his heart with joy to see how much they enjoyed each other, especially knowing that his kids also had a special bond with their cousins in Boston.

It had been Chris's idea for him and Ellie to settle down in Oregon after all three of her sisters had announced they were moving back to the area they all grew up in. He'd known that Ellie would want to stay on the west coast, but he didn't want to live in LA permanently so Oregon was the perfect place.

For all but the summer that Ellie was pregnant with Marcus, Ellie and the kids had spent the end of June through the beginning of August in Boston with Chris's family with Chris joining them if he wasn't working. The kids got along great with their cousins and, more often than not, it was like no time had passed between their last visit.

"And Nonna said that it's gonna snow," Chris heard Marcus tell his cousin closest to him in age. "So we're gonna have a big snowball fight on Christmas for sure!"

Chris chuckled as the cousin expressed some jealousy, especially after Marcus then brought up the trip to Disney World. Both kids knew, however, that come Spring Break, this side of the family would be spending the whole week at Disneyland.

Moving to the adults table, Chris took a seat next to Ellie and nudged her with his shoulder. She turned away from her sister and smiled at him.

"I love you," he told her.

"I love you, too," she smiled.

"I love you, too, man," their brother-in-law said from Chris's other side. Chris laughed as his brother-in-law grabbed him from behind and kissed his cheek.

Chris knew that he and Ellie were lucky to have grown up so close with their siblings and parents and they knew they'd both won the in-law jackpot. As much as Chris wished he got to spend more time with his family in Boston, the Spencers' had taken him (and all three of his brothers-in-law) and had made them their own. It was better than anything he'd ever imagined.

"Get off me, you monkey," Chris said with a laugh. He playfully elbowed his brother-in-law in the side and then shook his head. "Or I'll tell mom what you bought Garrett for our brother-in-law exchange."

The family had gotten together during the past weekend to celebrate Christmas together. The adults had done a gift exchange with everyone buying for two people, but Chris and his brothers-in-law had done a special bonus exchanged. They were mostly gag gifts and what not, but they weren't allowed to do anything below the belt. Though, the first year they had included their brother-in-law Mark, he'd given Chris a month's supply of Rogaine, which had only been funny because Mark was already bald. Other previous gifts had been a year supply of condoms for Chris following Marcus's arrival and then another year supply the Christmas after the twins had come around.

As the gifts were always exchanged in their father-in-law's mancave out of sight of the women, they usually weren't things that were meant to be spoken of again. So with Chris's threat, his brother-in-law's face paled as he quickly shifted his eyes away from the glare that their mother-in-law was giving them.

"Honestly," she said shaking her head. "You boys are almost worse than raising teenage daughters!"

Her sons-in-laws let out belly laughs as her daughters let out cries of disbelief.

Chris wrapped his arms around Ellie and kissed her cheek. "I love our family," he said.

Author’s note: This story was originally written in December 2016. A paragraph regarding the winner of the 2019 Super Bowl was edited on February 3, 2019.

Want to find me off tumblr? I’m @beccatheycallme on twitter. I also post my stories on AO3.

My tag list is always open, just let me know if you’d like to be added!

[baldtaelovemaze]

Love me for me (1)

What kind of love story starts with two people locked in a classroom and ends with the two same people in a courtroom? This one. After unfortunate circumstances, Venice is forced to illegally change her identity and live as a boy in a all boys school.

She planned everything out. Every. Single.detail. but no matter how much she tries, she can’t stop herself from falling for the son of one of the biggest lawyers.

Is loving the man of her dreams worth  years in jail?

Reader (OC) X jungkook ft.Taehyung

Warnings: mature language

Words: 3k

"Dear Miss. Abass, unfortunately, your demand at Yale University has been Rejected-"

“fuck” 

Orbs clouded, I rip apart the letter. The torn cream pieces dance with the wind my fan generates and I watch them gracefully fall to the floor, blending perfectly with the wood. 

Years of studying, isolation, practically not having a social life I forced upon myself to proudly become a valedictorian graduate but everything i did was in vain.

On the floor lays the last piece of hope I once clung on to. Now crushed under the weight of disappointment and failure, my chest hitches as I desperately try to hold back a sob. Water gathers at the rims of my heterochromia eyes. Left one a muddy green and the other a murky blue with a tinge of that same muddy green who manages to stick out no matter what like I do so very well. Intentionally or not.

I don’t cry, instead, I sniff away all the mucus who threatens to slide down my nasal passages and roll myself into bed.

For a moment, the smell of the freshly cleaned sheets and my dearest pillow make me forget of the hell hole I am in, of the chains that confine me.

That moment is short-lived when it all comes back rushing down on me like a wave. These chains that I have, invisible to the human or anything supernatural expect me. This rope around my neck who never ceases to tighten as time goes by.

I ponder on this fact. Or is it a question? It’s something I definitely know the answer to. So a fact it is.

The chains that hold me aren’t emotional or even close to physical. Nor did I ever do anything to earn them but that’s how the system works.

The system refused every single application I sent to prestigious universities. Not one of them accepted me even after they had contacted me for scholarships offers. Claiming that “my chosen classes were already full and to try elsewhere.’

It wasn’t a coincidence. Out of everyone, I should know that. Because I knew the system far too well.

That system chained me without even binding my wrist to chains, that system took my freedom away without truly stripping me of my rights, that system tied a noose around my neck and is waiting for any given occasion to rip away the chair from under my feet.

The system doesn't want my education to blossom. the system wants me to settle for less every time then die. That’s our government. the system is our government and it’s trying to kill me off. 

I could apply at a community college and get accepted in mere seconds but that's what they want. That is their plan and no matter what, I will not succumb to it, not after seeing how it ended for father. Not after seeing that.

I gulp at the thought of him. My body and mind react instantly at the mere idea of my father. My breathing becomes ragged and I sense my palms get clammy and sweaty. The noose around my neck feels like it got ten times tighter. Even though nothing is truly there, my brain acknowledges the hard rope covered in sharp split ends digging at the skin of my neck. My hands who once were tucked underneath the pillow flock to my neck, grasping around nothing but my own skin.

I seal my eyes shut and begin chanting the only thing that calms me down during my breakdowns.

“A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I....” 

the alphabet, something you often associate with learning toddlers full of life and not a 19-year-old having a nervous breakdown.

“J, K, L, M, O, P, Q, R, S!!” I scream loud, frail body shaking like a leaf as I try my best to block out the nose, block out the shots and the footsteps who are threateningly close. I hiccup between a sob when I feel his big greasy hands grip my long ebony hair, yanking me back painfully, he throws my whole body across the room.

what letter was I at? I forgot. Now I can barely breathe. I frustrate the man furthermore. I know this when he yells  “shut the fuck up. Make another sound and your lovely mother gets it.” I open my eyes and stop breathing altogether. She lays on the floor.

I shake my head, clearing my mind of theses awful flashbacks as I shoot up from bed to reach for the pieces of paper, crumble them into a tiny ball and neatly shoot them in my plastic dollar-store basketball net who hangs just above the door. It hits the rim before falling on the floor with a plop. 

“damn, where did my basketballs skill go?” I ask my self, feeling slightly better due to the self-pity that seems to have eaten me whole.

 The alphabet always calms me down, it brings me back to earth when I need it the most -when my anxiety decides to lock me in my painful past.

My back now on the bed, I look at my white ceiling, its time to think rationally, like an adult - I smile to myself. Like an adult, huh? I quickly recognize the fact that most adults don’t actually know what they are doing. Most of the time they let themselves get dragged with the wave. Some try to overpower the water while others succumb to it and others find a way to float, to stay on the surface no matter how strong the storm gets.

I huff a breath of defeat "what am I going to do? It was the last one on the list.” I toy with my phone. I run my fingers against its smooth metal surface all while making sure to not unlock it by accident with the touch ID.

I've been ignoring Haerin’s messages for a while now. 

I frown, hoping that she won’t misunderstand and think that I a mad at her.

the screen lights up.

Haerin: Don’t worry I know that you’re not mad at me or anything but I'm just worried.. plus I kinda miss your ugly ass so text back soon. I can’t believe you’re making me seem like a desperate hoe by ignoring all my text. Your fuckgirl mode has, unfortunately, been activated :/ [2:45]

I snort. Not being able to ignore her for any longer, I text back. 

Me: I usually don’t text girls back after we fuck... but ur kinda special so come over or whatever... [2:46 pm]

Haerin: omg okay daddy! I’ll bring take out that way my ass won’t be the only thing you’ll eat today! I'm omw bitch you have some explaining to do. [2:46]

I chuckle and lock my phone.

 With the stretch of my limbs, I'm out of bed and I beeline straight to the bathroom.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. “fucking hell, I barely look alive.”

after peeing and a quick face wash, I stand in front of the mirror and notice that my pixie cut may need a trim soon. I can’t ever let my hair grow past my ears and I rather not think about the reason behind this -not yet at least, not yet.

I watch the clear droplet of water cling on to the curl near my forehead before dropping and rolling down my tawny skin. I can’t help but to glance down at my neck, it’s red. I pray that I won’t bruise. I take in the fact that my new skin care routine has been working marvelously. From my high cheekbones, my narrow chin and slightly protruding forehead my skin is spotless.

"Venice, you little thot, I have arrived in your domicile"

I jump in surprise at first. After a smile covers my plump lips when I realize who that voice belongs to. I step out of the bathroom which is linked to my room and meet the fake redhead. 

In a matter of seconds, I am engulfed in her tight embrace. Face hidden in the crook of her armpit I notice that the tall girl is wearing her favorite mustard hoodie.

I break the hug. “ I missed you too,” I say, gazing up at her through my short lashes. I see the worry in her slanted eyes but I know she isn’t judging, she never does.

“let’s talk, okay?” her voice is soft when she speaks. I nod and lead her to my bed.

A couple tears, three hugs, and many heartfelt words later, we lay diagonally on my bed. Looking up at the ceiling. With a shift in position, I look over at Haerin’s toes who never fail to not be ugly and stinky but who can blame her? She's an aspiring basketball player. Now I look up to her profile. It seems like the ceiling is long forgotten and that she is currently deep in thought, I can tell by the way her straight thick brows furrow and how she chews almost aggressively her full bottom lip. I Am caught red-handed when she suddenly turns at catches me staring.

“I've got an idea.” her lips part as she smiles, revealing the gap in the middle of her two front teeth that fits her so well.

“Shoot”

“How about we watch old Disney movies to take off some of your stress for today? let's deal this fucktard of a situation tomorrow. '' She pushes her elbow underneath her to lift herself. Her round glasses droop down the bridge of her nose but she's quick to push them back with the help of her lanky fingers.

I smiled at the idea. I ask myself how can someone be so pure and genuine sometimes.

''Okay, but just don't put anything with romance in it. I don't want to be reminded of the fact that the only thing I wake up next to in bed is my life-sized Makoto Tachibana pillow.'' My feet drag on the warm floor as Haerin intertwines her arm with mine. '' That's extremely sad and I hope that you'll throw it out once you get a boyfriend-'' she stops in her tracks and looks at me.

we both stare at each other only to explode with laughter.

 ''BAHAHA! I can't believe I just said that! You? a boyfriend? I think WinWin would finally be getting lines in songs before that happens.'' wiping away the tear that escaped, we go down the stairs and she grabs the laptop on the kitchen counter before plopping herself beside me on the sofa.

''Shut up you shouldn't be the one to speak here.'' I laugh back with her.

''Whatever ugly loser, go grabs snacks that way we can stuff our faces and I'll pick a movie'' She orders and am up in seconds.

''I know you said no romance but I still picked the Amanda Bynes movie She's the man '' Haerin informs me as I come back into the living room

I shrug my shoulders, indifferent.

''I don't care what we watch at this point, anything to get my stress down.'' I slur on my words near the end, taking a big fat handful of popcorn and shoving it down my throat.

'We could watch porn then'' she wiggles her eyebrows suggestively and I pinch her left nipple.

''shut up and play the god damn movie.''

And with a click, the movie is playing and I am finally relaxing.

About an hour and forty-five minutes later the movie is done and you're left with a strange idea in mind.

''hey Haerin..'' you start off

her eyes squint, which suggests that she's thinking . ''hm?''

''Are you possibly thinking the same thing as me ?'' now my eyes squint, trying my best to read her expression.

 '' If you are thinking about dressing yourself up as a male and infiltrating the all-boys prestigious Uni then yes, we are thinking the same thing!'' her grip on my wrists is tight and I feel light headed when she shakes me like a polaroid as soon as I nod.

''CALL CHRISTIAN RIGHT NOW! SOME MADAME DOUBTFIRE MAKEOVER SHIT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN IN THIS BITCH!'' She screams at the top of her lungs.

"You called me here because am what?" Christian took place on the sofa beside me. Brows creased together, he leaned forward, as if he hadn't heard me the first time. He heard me perfectly fine. "Because you're the dude-dest dude I know and I need to learn how to become a dude."

He drowns himself deeper in the couch, taking a chunk of his locks between his fingers, he let out an exasperated "what kind of fucking drugs do you guys take to come up with this shit?" And shortly after "Okay, I'll help."

This was our relationship. Christian Yu a very stable young adult that happened to be my childhood neighbor. Even when I moved out of my mother's home, he never left me behind. Kind of like a big brother that allows me to do dumb shit only with his supervision.

"This might seem crazy but just trust me on this. It might work,"I reassure.

His eyes bulge “What exactly might work Venice please don’t tell-”

“I can’t keep living on like this. I don’t want to live a meaningless life all while knowing that I can achieve so much more. Just entering that school and studying to become a lawyer would be a huge step for me” my jaw clenches “Its a step towards my goal and..” nostrils flared, I watch Christian tense, the weight of my words slowly seep into his pores, completely changing his first resolve. “ I will fulfill it no matter what”.

“I understand what you want to do but wouldn't that be proving what the government is doing to people like you -no offense, right? You're just doing what they expect of the children of criminals, you're becoming one too” He remains tense. Lower lip stuck between his pearly teeth, Christian avoids eye contact. 

“Reflect on this: What do criminals have in common?” I get up from the couch under the perplexed gaze of my friend.

Lips puckered, brows screwed together, he comes up with an answer quickly “Its simple, they do illegal things!”

“That's partially true but I want you do think of the biggest names in the dark world, the infamous one. What brought them together besides the fact that what they did was prohibited?” I am patient, smiling down at my friend who racks his brain fora retort. His wide shoulder slump, not knowing where exactly am I go going with this. I give in, choosing to spare him a brain burn out “they were all selfish.”

“W-What?”

“yes, it really is that simple.” I smirk “ Just think about it, All their lives, their goal was to enrich themselves, gain profit or some form of power. They were ready to do whatever it took to gain these things. Kill, steal ect. What separates me from them is that I am not only doing this for me but the others who suffer alongside me in silence. We both know that the system is wrong and should be taken down even if that means sacrificing the little freedom I have.” I exhale, coming back to sit near Christian on the couch.

He sighs, elbows now up on his tighs, he rubs his eyes. “Fine, I support you in this but please don't you dare end up in jail or else-”

“You’ll lose your mind since you can't live without her.” Haerin finally speaks. She had remained so silent I forgot that she was even there.

“Y-yeah, you're probably right actually, I don't think I can't live without either of my girls” he pipes, scooping both of us in his toned arms and engulfing us in a tight hug.

“Let me go, Chris, my face is literally buried in your armpits”  Haerin whines.

“Then smell them!”

“Oh no, you don”t-”I send my knee in his crotch in a matter of seconds, making him groan in agony all while curling into a ball on the floor. Haerin stares unbothered, pulling out her phone and calling someone. The conversation is short but it leaves a smile on her lips when she hangs up.

"Okay whores, I just called the best makeup artist in town. After you get your lesson on how to become an owner of a dick and get a makeup lesson cuz god knows you struggling in that.." Haerin shakes her head and muffles a laugh with her hand when I pipe out “bitch.”

 "You will go in the room and do what you have to do to make the world believe you are a man."

"Okay, let's start then!" the serious and somber mood is gone, excitement is now what is left behind. Am thrilled, justice pumps through my veins and it's only fueled more by the support of my friends. I can do this

"Okay let's start then...but no homo"

"I know I taught you to use 'no homo' but it doesn't mean you need to say it in every  sentence, Venice," Christian shouts from the kitchen, watching the makeup artist teach me the basics on how to make my face look more masculine and the brands that stay on the longest.

Haerin had told her that we were just filming a really weird porno and the women weirdly enough, nodded as if what Haerin said was something that she had seen often.

A couple more minutes spent by my side and she was out of the house, I shooed Christian and Haerin out as well.

With years of fraudulent knowledge in my hands, creating a new identity would be a breeze. 

What should my new name be?

I grab my phone and open the group chat

Me: I need Name ideas, got anything? [5:15]

Chris: keep it simple... something like Steve Duncan or whatever [5:17]

Haerin: Don't listen to this loser, Bob Mcniplecoker shall be your new name, beloved  ;)  [5:17]

Chris: i-  [5:18]

Me: 00Ooo thank you Haerin! very cool! [5:18]

Chris: please don't tell me you're actually using that- why am I the only sane person in this group? [5:19]

I shut off my phone, content with the name and ready to get down to serious business. Hours and hours of serious business.

Creating a whole new identity sure was time-consuming.

The wait was over.

The letter who held my fate had arrived to my surprising displeasure. I huffed a breath of frustration. Why am I so nervous? With the grades I have, it is certain I’ll be getting in but why can't I open it?

The pretty creme letter waited for no one other than me to open it. I was first made known of its presence when I was taking a shit and my uncle so kindly slid it under the door when he was staying over for a couple days.

All Boys: Great Jeon University

I had just finished taking a shit but after re-reading the letter I felt like taking a second shit.  Curling on the floor, my nose rose up in defiance as I glanced at the paper, still centimeters away from under the door.

Let's just open the letter and get this over with.

With trembling hands, I reached over to the letter but I at last second I let my hand fell back to my side.

This Is so stressful! Is it possible to vomit and shit your pants all at the same time? I shot up, heading to the sink determined, with a couple splashes of cold water on my face I stared at myself in the mirror, determined.

I pursued my full lips, taking in a pimple that formed right next to my thick brows. This stress is really getting to me. I know damn well that a pimple wouldn't have been there otherwise.

"Okay you big wuss, tear that shit open !" I gas myself up, finally picking up the letter, I rip the envelope, already expecting the worst.

"Dear Mister. Mcniplecocker, we are glad to inform you that you have been accepted-"

“Oh thank God...” relief washes down on me like a ton of bricks. ”Thank 

god..”I exhale, I can't contain the small smile that forms on my lips.

"THIS CALL FOR DANGEROUSLY HIGH AMOUNTS OF CALORIES !" Haerin shouts, grabbing the takeout menu to order too much food and possibly max out her credit card. She is reckless and often thinks of the consequences after she does something but if she ever got in trouble with the law due to her shenanigans, me, a soon to be law student would help her.

Christian took his usual seat at my right and Haerin at my left on our favorite brown couch. They were here so often on this couch that their butts were permanently imprinted.

"I need to tell you guys about this girl I've met. She's older but I swear I've never seen a woman more beautiful" Christian gushed, tugging on my shirt. "Oh, my man is finally getting some action! I started getting worried for you I was almost going to ship you with Haerin."

The girl snapped her head to look at me at the mention of her name. "Excuse me? Me and Christian? I'd rather let your creepy pillow anime guy date me." She snickered and I scoffed "Bitch, you wish Makoto Tachibana would be with your dusty crusty ass plus you're acting like Christian is ugly! I mean he might be a lil on the grandpa side since he's so old but-"

He deadpanned. "I'm literally 25 ???"

"Anyways, in two months I'll be going to one of the most prestigious schools and I'll be a lawyer. If one of you ever gets in trouble with the law don't call me because I'll be the one making sure you go to jail." I joke, picking a movie on the laptop.

I was over the moon. Things were going my way and it felt good, so good.

"If you ever do get caught, who will defend you ?" Christian hesitated when he asked, not wanting to stress me.

"Don't jinx it, idiot. I won't happen, don't worry." Haerin leaned forward, taking my hand in hers and gave me a small smile not knowing that the damage was already done.

 It was something that I ridiculously tried shoving at the back of my brain. It was something I needed to face. I was going to be a lawyer for crying out loud, I knew that I could face time in jail and fines I wouldn't be able to afford to pay.

It was something I was ready to risk. For my education. I was breaking the law in order to work as a person who enforced the law. How ironic.

"Yeah, don't jinx it, Chris." 

[writer-or-whatever]

Five Times Rory Asked Paris About Parenthood and One Time Paris Asked Rory

A 5+1 with Rory and Paris as they talk about starting a family.

Read it on AO3

“Do you ever think about it?” Rory asked, eyes still fixed on the movie they were watching, head in Paris’s lap, body stretched out on their couch.

“Think about what?”

“Being a parent.” Paris didn’t even ask how Rory’s mind got from Mission Impossible to parenthood, it was just how her mind worked, and Paris had accepted long ago that she’d never fully understand what went on inside her partner’s head.

“Sometimes, fleetingly. Like when we went to Disney World and there were all these happy families and stuff,” Paris answered, mostly still watching the movie, hands carding through Rory’s hair.

“Oh.” Rory’s voice had this deflated note that she got when something was wrong but she didn’t want anyone else to realize it. That’s when Paris realized that she wasn’t asking if she ever thought about being a parent but if she ever thought about being a parent with Rory.

“I’d like to though, you know, with you,” and, as Paris said it, she knew she wasn’t just saying it to pacify Rory. She really meant it. She wanted to be a mom and she wanted to have a family and she wanted it with Rory. She could imagine a little bright eyed kid with her ambition and Rory’s fierce loyalty and endless optimism that babbled ceaselessly to their mama and mommy and she wanted it so badly that it ached a little now that she thought about it.

“Yeah?” Rory had turned to look at her, the movie being completely ignored by the both of them as they looked at each other, both searching the other’s face to make absolutely certain that they were being serious.

“Yeah.”

--------------------------------

“Do you think we should adopt or get a sperm donor?” Rory asked one night when they were laying in bed, nearly asleep.

“What?” Paris had been nearly asleep, all blissed out and sleepy from the sex they’d had not ten minutes previously.

“Do you think we’re too old to carry a baby? Does one of us even want to get pregnant? Should we just adopt? Do we adopt a newborn or a toddler?” Rory was babbling now, something she did when she was tired or nervous and right now she was both. Paris needed to say something to pull her off track and back to her.

“Is this your idea of pillow talk, Gilmore? Because it leaves something to be desired.” That did the trick, pulling Rory from her anxious mind and babbling mouth and into reality. It also caused her to smack Paris with a pillow, but it was worth it.

They laid together for a few moments after the pillowing throwing fiasco, Rory’s head next to Paris’s on the pillow, her arm thrown over Paris’s middle, and their legs tangled together, before Rory spoke again, albeit much less quickly this time, “Really though, how to we go about getting a baby?”

“Getting a baby?” Paris was trying really hard not to laugh, but the way Rory phrased it- ‘Getting a baby,’ like it was a piece of furniture or something- was making it really hard, and she didn’t quite succeed.

“Oh, hush, you. You know what I meant.” Rory was giggling too, though.

“I think we could do either. We’re only 28, so pretty much all our eggs are viable. Or we could adopt. Whatever you want to do, Ror.”

“I think. I think I maybe want to use a sperm donor.”

“Yeah?” Paris was perfectly fine with that, even she wound up being the pregnant one, despite the horrors of pregnancy like morning sickness, cravings, and giant ankles.

“Yeah,” Rory sounded so sleepy when she said it, and Paris pulled her tighter against her, moving into their normal sleeping position, Rory with her head on Paris’s chest and her arms around Paris’s waist, legs tangled together.

“We can talk about it more later. Let’s go to sleep, Ror.”

“M’kay, Par.”

-------------------------

“Do we want an anonymous sperm donor or someone we know?” They were in the car on the way to Stars Hollow to see Rory’s mom and Luke for the weekend.

“We can do either, but a full health and genetic screening is a must either way,” Paris said without taking her eyes off of the interstate. This question was easier for Paris since it was logical and dealt with the sorts of things she dealt with in her line of work and not as much of an emotional kind of question.

“Right, but would it be weird for half of our child’s genetics to come from a stranger or would it be weirder to have it come from someone we know?” Of course, with Rory, everything was an emotional question.

“I think that, regardless of where half of our kid’s genetics come from, they’ll be 100% our kid and they’ll have a loving family, me and you and your mom and Luke and Richard and Emily, and where their eye color or nose shape comes from won’t matter.”

“You’re right.”

“I usually am,” Paris’s voice was filled with mirth and she was smiling. God, she loved Rory and their life.

“You know what I meant, you goofball.”

There was a comfortable silence between them after that, filled with the sounds of the car driving down the interstate at a speed slightly above the speed limit since Paris was driving and some top 40 song playing on the radio, before Rory spoke again. “I think maybe we should use someone anonymous. I just don’t know if I want to see someone other than the two of us in our kid.”

“Okay. I’ll make some calls and get some information on it when we get to your mom’s.”

“God, I can’t wait to have a family with you.” Rory was wearing that huge grin on her face, the one she got sometimes that made Paris fall in love with her all over, and Paris didn’t have to look at her to know it was there, since she could hear it in her voice.

---------------------------------

“Do you think I would look good pregnant?” Rory asked while they were grocery shopping as she was trying to decide between Captain Crunch and Froot Loops.

“What?” The question tore Paris out of her granola comparison and she looked over to Rory, who, aside from the question she asked, appeared to be deeply invested in her internal cereal debate.

“I mean. One of us is going to get pregnant and I was thinking that maybe I would want to do it and I was just wondering if I would look like a beached whale.” Rory decided on the Froot Loops and turned back to Paris and the shopping cart as she said it.

“You’d look gorgeous, Rory. You always do.” Paris came up to Rory and wrapped an arm around her partner’s waist as she said it.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Even when we were in high school and we had to wear those stupid Elizabethan outfits.”

“Which was totally your idea, Geller,” Rory said, breaking away from their semi-embrace and pushing the cart out of the cereal aisle and towards the deli, Paris following after her, and both of them laughing.

“Yeah, well,” Paris said as she shrugged.

They were waiting by the deli counter for the meat and cheese they ordered when Paris asked Rory what she’d been thinking since she asked how she’d look pregnant. “Do you really want to carry our baby? Because you don’t have to, I could if you didn’t want to, you know.” Paris meant it, though she’d love to see Rory glowing and pregnant with their baby.

“Yeah. Yeah, I really do.” Rory was smiling when she said it, hand on her flat stomach.

-------------------------------------

“What color should we paint the nursery?” Those were the first words out of Rory’s mouth when Paris walked into their new little house after work.

“Whatever color you want, love.” Paris meant it, she would be happy with whatever color Rory wanted for their baby, though she knew that Rory would want her opinion and not giving at least some input, though they both knew that they’d pick whatever color Rory wanted in the end, would result in a teary response from a hormonal five month pregnant Rory.

“Will you at least flip through the paint samples with me?” Rory looked like she might cry, something she’d been prone to doing since she’d gotten pregnant, but Paris would’ve flipped through them with her regardless.

“Of course, just let me change out of my work outfit.”

When Paris came out of their bedroom in a pair of sweatpants and one of Rory’s over-sized Yale sweaters, she found her partner surrounded by what was likely over one hundred paint sample cards. “Any ideas?” She asked, flopping down on the couch next to her.

“I was thinking maybe salmon, teal, or olive.” She said, holding up three different shades for Paris to look at. “Although a light yellow might be good too.”

Paris took the cards from Rory and looked at them. They were all good choices. Well, all of them except the olive. It was dark and kind of depressing. “I like them all, but not really the olive. It’s too dark.” She didn’t want to add the depressing part because she was fairly sure that Rory wouldn’t take that very well.

“Yeah,” Rory took the card back from Paris and held it close to her face, inspecting it, “it is too dark.”

“So, that just leaves us with light yellow, salmon, or teal then?”

“Yeah.” They both looked over the cards together, thinking of a little baby with Rory’s dark hair and bright eyes and the perfect color for their room.

“How about the yellow?” Paris asked, holding up the card with a light yellow shade with an obnoxious name. “I mean, any kid that shares your genes is gonna have a bright personality and they need a bright colored room.”

“It’s perfect,” Rory said, throwing the other paint samples onto the coffee table and throwing herself at Paris, hugging her, causing both of them to laugh.

-----------------------------------------

“What are we going to name her?” Paris asked as Rory held their newborn daughter in her arms, looking all drowsy but completely happy.

“I don’t know. Our little girl is so perfect, she needs a perfect name.” Rory said as they both looked adoringly at their baby.

Paris sat down on the bed next to her partner, slipping an arm around Rory’s shoulders as she spoke, “How about Emily? After your grandmother.”

“Emily Athena. Emily from me and Athena from you.”

“It’s a perfect name, but how is Athena from me?”

“Athena is from Athens, which is a city like Paris, but Emily Paris doesn’t quite have the right sound to it.” Rory looked Paris when she said it, eyes holding just as much adoration for Paris as they did for Emily.

“Emily Athena. It’s perfect.”

“She’s perfect,” Rory said, laying her head on Paris’s shoulder, clearly trying to fight sleep.

“Go to sleep, I’ll watch over our perfect little family while you get some much needed rest.” Paris said, though Rory was asleep before she’d even finished talking.

She kissed Rory on the head and looked at their perfect daughter. “Hey, sweetheart. I’m your mama and this sleeping goofball is your mommy and we love you so much.” She kept her arm around her partner as she leaned forward and kissed their sleeping baby on the head as she slept against her sleeping mother’s chest.

[storytellerofuntoldlegends]

A Tiny Problem, Part One

Heyo! So a little while ago, I posted about possibly writing a fic for the tiny!sides au. So without further ado, here it is! (Also if you wanna be added to the tag list, let me know!)

Tag List: @cefmua56 @mewsicalmiss

Personally, Virgil blamed Roman for this mess. He was always experimenting with magic, and that was the only explanation for their current situation. What, might you ask, had happened? Well, it all started earlier that morning.

—————————————————————————————————-

Virgil had been lying on his bed with his headphones on, listening to My Chemical Romance, when a small face popped up and scared the living crap out of him.

“Hewo Virgil!” the small child cried. What on earth was a child doing in the mindscape? That’s when Virgil noticed that the child was wearing a pair of glasses, a blue polo shirt, a gray cardigan over his shoulders, and khaki pants.

“Patton?” Virgil asked incredulously.

“Dat’s my name!” he said, giggling.

“Why are you a toddler?” Virgil asked. Patton shrugged.

“I dunno. Let’s go playy!” he replied, tugging Virgil’s arm.

“Maybe in a minute Pat. We need to go find the others and figure out what to do,” Virgil said, sitting up. Just then, Roman burst in, carrying a child wearing glasses, a black polo shirt, blue tie, and jeans.

“Not Logan too,” Virgil groaned, flopping back onto his bed.

“Virgil, the worst thing has- wait, what do you mean, too?!” Roman cried out. Then his eyes landed upon Patton, who was standing beside Virgil’s bed.

“Oh for the love of Disney,” Roman sighed. Logan started to squirm in Roman’s arms.

“Ro, put me down!” Logan cried, wiggling around and pounding his tiny fists on Roman’s chest.

“Okay, okay! I’ll put you down now,” Roman conceded, and gently placed Logan down on the ground. Logan skittered away, and adjusted his tie.

“Logaan!” Patton cried out, and ran forward to give Logan a hug.

“No! NO hugs!” Logan cried out, trying to run away, but it was too late. Patton wrapped his arms around Logan, and Logan let out a high-pitched shriek. Virgil clambered off his bed and rushed towards them, trying to pry Patton away from Logan.

“C’mon Pat, let go of Logan, I’ll play with you if you let go of him,” Virgil negotiated, his usual deep voice cooing slightly. Roman felt his heart melt at the adorable scene.

“Play?” Patton asked, loosening his grip on Logan. Logan squirmed away and ran to Roman, hiding behind him.

“Yes Patton, let’s go play,” Virgil sighed. Patton giggled.

“Yaay! Tag, you’re it!” Patton exclaimed, tapping Virgil on the shoulder and running out of his room, giggling the whole time. Virgil groaned.

“Ugh, Patton’s making me exercise. Welp, better go after him before the little tyke gets himself into trouble,” Virgil said, leaving his room as well.

—————————————————————————————————-

It turned out Patton was very good at tag. Virgil was currently roaming the halls of the mindscape, looking for Patton. He had taken to hiding from Virgil, making their previous game of tag more of a game of hide and seek. Virgil tried to suppress the overwhelming sense of anxiety that was starting to build up at the fact that he still hadn’t found Patton yet. How long had it been? A few minutes? An hour? Virgil wasn’t sure anymore. His searching became more frantic, and he could feel the edge of a panic attack coming on.

“Keep it together Virgil, it’s just the mindscape. Patton has to be around here somewhere,” he muttered to himself.

“Why are you talking to yourself?” a voice piped up behind him. Virgil whirled around to see a tiny Logan peering up at him curiously. Virgil placed a hand on his chest, over his now rapidly beating heart.

“Geez Logan, give a guy some warning next time, okay? And what did you do to Roman?” Virgil asked.

“He told me to stay put, and that he had to go take care of something. But that was boring, so I decided to find you instead,” Logan replied. Virgil made a mental note to yell at Roman for leaving Logan alone later.

“C’mon Logan, help me find Patton,” Virgil said, reaching out a hand towards Logan. Logan glanced at the outstretched hand, then back at Virgil.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because it’s not good for Patton to be all alone,” Virgil replied.

“Why?” he questioned again.

“Because if adult Patton doesn’t make good decisions, then I’m terrified of what trouble toddler Patton could get into,” Virgil said, irritation creeping into his voice.

“Okay,” Logan said with a shrug, taking Virgil’s hand. Virgil let out a sigh of relief, until he heard a loud thump coming from the kitchen, and the sound of crying following soon after. Virgil cursed under his breath, then scooped Logan up into his arms, who protested greatly at this action. Virgil ignored this and ran into the kitchen. He was greeted by the sight of Patton sprawled out on the floor, cradling his left arm and sobbing. Virgil set Logan down on the ground, and knelt beside Patton.

“Hey Pat, it’s okay, it’s okay, can I see your arm?” Virgil asked gently. Patton hesitated, his tears subsiding slightly. Then, after a second or two, he stretched out his arm towards Virgil. Virgil gently took him by the wrist, and started to gently press down on Patton’s arm.

“Does it hurt when I touch it?” he asked. Patton shook his head. Virgil let go of his arm.

“Can you try bending it for me? Or moving it around a bit?” Virgil asked. Patton did as he was told, and Virgil was relieved when he saw that Patton could move it without difficulty.

“Alright Pat, it doesn’t look like it’s broken, but we should probably ice it just to be safe. And let’s do something a little less… active. How about we watch some cartoons?” Virgil asked. Patton visibly perked up at that idea.

“Can we watch Winnie the Pooh?” Patton asked. Virgil smiled and ruffled Patton’s hair.

“Of course,” Virgil said, standing up. Patton stood up as well, and reached his arms out towards Virgil.

“Up!” he cried out. Virgil sighed, bent down, and picked Patton up. Patton wrapped his arms around Virgil’s neck and cuddled closer to him, sighing contentedly. A small smile crept up Virgil’s face, and he walked towards the freezer to grab an ice pack. (When Patton was an adult, he always made sure to keep a couple on hand, since Roman tended to get a little banged up on his adventures) After awkwardly rifling through the freezer with one hand, while trying to keep a firm grip on Patton, he finally managed to get an ice pack. He then walked into the living room, with Logan trailing behind him, and set Patton down on the couch.

“Don’t worry, I’ll cuddle you again in a minute. I just need to get some things for watching Winnie the Pooh. Now stay put, and put the ice pack where it hurts on your arm,” Virgil explained when Patton pouted slightly. Virgil started to walk out of the living room again, but noticed that Logan had started to follow him.

“You stay here too, Logan,” Virgil said, crouching down to look Logan in the eye.

“But I don’t wannaa,” Logan whined.

“Just bear with me, okay Logan? After we watch Winnie the Pooh, you can pick what we watch next, okay?” Virgil compromised. Logan considered it for a moment, then nodded. Virgil breathed out a sigh of relief, and watched Logan toddle back towards Patton on the couch. Virgil then proceeded to grab blankets, stuffed animals, snacks, and of course, the Winnie the Pooh DVD. He walked back into the living room, arms full, to see Logan and Patton having a very serious discussion about puppies. Virgil smiled in spite of himself. Their chatting stopped when they saw Virgil with his arms full of goodies.

“Puppy!” Patton squealed, reaching for a dog plushie that balanced precariously in Virgil’s arms. Virgil carefully but quickly gave Patton the plush dog and a blanket. He then gave Logan a dinosaur plushie and a blanket. He set the snacks down on the coffee table, and put the disc into the player. He then sat down in between Logan and Patton, and was pleasantly surprised when both of them cuddled up to him. The movie started, and Virgil could slowly feel himself drifting off to sleep. Who knew a little less than an hour with two toddlers could be so exhausting?   

[buttersbots]

Ficlet: Grandbabysitting

Rating: K Words: 1,301

I was sprucing this up and realized I had never posted it on tumblr in the first place! Have some good family fluff.

Also, for anyone who’s interested, I’m thinking about holding a design contest for Mel! She needs a new look to better reflect her parents.

Fletcher led Two into Mel’s nursery, a room full of pastel colors and streaming sunlight. The door to the balcony, carefully padlocked, was covered in scribbled pictures of trees and animals. The crib against the back wall looked more like a basket of stuffed toys, games littered the colorful carpet, and a short desk next to the holo console on the left held a huge drawing tablet covered in digital finger paintings. Fletcher shuffled around the room, straightening things out as he went. He and Asteri were leaving town for a friend’s wedding, Nos-4-a2 was gone on an assessment, and Toby was away at camp, so Two was taking time off work to watch Mel.

“Okay, this is her favorite book, and these at the top of her crib are her favorite stuffed animals. She likes to make sure they all have even amounts of play time, so leave them all exactly the way she does so she can swap them out. This is her favorite movie, and this one always puts her to sleep. Once she falls asleep, make sure to leave this music on ‒ if she wakes up without it, she gets really scared. If she asks for candy, just distract her ‒ she saw Toby eating and thinks all food is ‘candy,’ and she hasn’t learned that she doesn’t have a digestive system yet. She can’t be convinced so just gently remind her for now and try to give her a brightly colored power cell. Her journal is in the same file as Toby’s, so just make sure to record naps, walks, electrical intake ‒ ”

“I think I have it, Fletcher,” Two grinned.

“But I still need to show you ‒ ”

Two took her son by the shoulders. “Honey, I know. I see her every day, and if you’ll recall, I raised you, too! You never seemed this worked up when we babysat Toby.”

Fletcher frowned. “We never had to leave Toby when he was so young... and Mel is... different.”

“Mel’s barely a toddler, Fletcher. They can’t know that she has any sort of irregularity until she’s more stable, but I’m proud of you for worrying so much. The most important thing is that we treat her like she’s just a normal kid ‒ which she is ‒ and trust her to let us know how she’s feeling.”

Fletcher nodded solemnly. “It just scares me when she shuts down... it’s like she’s afraid of us. I’ve never met anyone who guards their emissions so carefully.”

“You know she loves you, darling, and she’s the fifth Energy Vampire ever. Of course there hasn’t been anyone like her before!”

Fletcher smiled sadly. “...That’s what I’m worried about.”

Two cupped his cheek. She had to hover a bit higher to look him straight on, but it wasn’t an assertive move. Her eyeforms were soft and understanding. “No matter what, you’ll love her the same, won’t you?”

“Of course.”

“That’s all she needs! You can trust me to take care of her, too. I’m just excited to spend some time with my grandbaby!”

The hybrid sighed. “Thanks, Mom.”

Two smiled and kissed his cheek. “Now, where is she? You need to get going!”

“Yeah, it is getting late... well, come on, Darwin has her downstairs.”

They exited the room and followed the hallway to the third floor common room, taking the stairs down to ground level. They crossed the last hall to the den and found Darwin standing next to his and Fletcher’s luggage, Mel on one arm and his mobile in his free hand.

“Fletcher! I was about to come find you, the car’s going to be here in a few minutes.”

“Perfect timing!” Fletcher smiled, coming up to their luggage and lifting a bag over his shoulder.

“Gram!” Mel reached her hands out as Two hovered closer, making Darwin laugh.

“Mellie! Here, dear, I’ll take her,” Two reached out, but Darwin hesitated. He put his mobile into his back pocket and gave Mel one last hug, nuzzling the top of her head. Mel tucked her arms around Darwin’s neck in response.

“I miss you already. Promise you’ll be good for Gram?”

“I promise, Daddy!”

Darwin kissed her forehead and handed her over to Two. Mel smiled and put her hands on Two’s visor, giggling at how it made the white probe squint.

“We’ll call you as soon as we land, alright?” Fletcher lifted the handle of their rolling bag. Darwin nodded, fidgeting as he lifted his carry-on. They seemed to struggle more as they came closer to actually leaving their daughter.

“Don’t worry, you can take your time. Try to have some fun! We’ll be here all night, right Mellie?”

“Yeah! Can I sleep over with you Gram?”

“That sounds like a lot of fun!” Two laughed, bouncing Mel in her arms to make her giggle again. Darwin relaxed a little bit ‒ at least Mel wasn’t stressed about them leaving.

“We’ll certainly call to say goodnight,” Darwin smiled, stepping close and thumbing away a bit of dirt on Mel's cheek. Two began to hover out of the den toward the main hall, not sure that the couple would make their own way to the front doors. They followed behind her like puppies.

“We’ll wait to hear from you then,” Two hummed.

“And you can call us whenever you want, too!” Fletcher added, “Just ask Gram for our numbers.”

“Yes, even if it’s the middle of the night,” Darwin agreed.

“Mellie, are your Papa and Daddy being silly?”

“Yes!” the probeling giggled for the sake of calling her parents silly.

They all stopped at the front door. Darwin opened it with his free hand because it was the only thing left to do.

“Won’t you at least miss your silly parents?” Fletcher asked.

“Yes! Miss you, Papa.”

Fletcher stooped down to kiss Mel’s forehead. “Miss you too, little angel. You’re going to have a lot of fun here with Gram, though.”

She nodded vigorously and bunched her fists in Two’s cloak. Fletcher stepped over the threshold, and Darwin swooped in for one last kiss before following him.

“We love you so much, Mel!”

“Love you too, Daddy!” the little robot waved.

Fletcher walked backwards down the gravel path to smile at them as long as he could, his hands too full to wave. They all called out their “goodbyes” and “I love yous” until the couple left hearing range, shrinking toward the gate in the distance.

Two closed the door and looked down at Mel. “Alright. We have this whole place to ourselves, so what do you want to do first?”

Mel’s eyeforms opened wide as she considered the world of possibilities. She turned serious before leaning close, cupping her hand to Two’s audio receptor. “Can we watch the good cartoons that Papa and Daddy don’t like?”

Two pretended to deliberate for a moment. “You know... I think I might be able to allow that only if we make a pillow fort in the theater.”

Mel’s wings sprung out of her back and gave a few excited flaps as she shrieked in delight.

“You go pull all the pillows off the couches and I’ll grab the blankets from the den!”

Two tossed Mel like she was releasing a bird, and the little robot caught the air accordingly before hitting the ground running on her pointed feet. They split at the end of the hall, Mel turning left into the theater and Two turning right toward the den, both filling the house with matching giggles.

Two is hooking Mel up with some of that good sh*t. Like, her parents only really let her watch the equivalent of Disney Junior, and Two's whipping out Nickelodeon, maybe even some of that Cartoon Network. (My Grammy always let me watch the Good ShowsTM that my parents thought were "too mean.") So, sometimes, Mel will sort of shut down out of the blue. She becomes hypersensitive, can't be around loud noises, stops talking, stops making visual contact, and won't let anyone touch her. She actively avoids people during these times, which really concerns her family at first. They don't know if they're doing anything to make her react like this. However, they learn that it's just how she is, there's nothing wrong with her, and it isn't seriously affecting her quality of life. They all just learn to respect her space until she feels comfortable again.

[2traveldads-blog]

Disneyland with kids is amazing. It might sound silly but when we first found out that we were going to be dads one of the very first thoughts that went through my head was “ hooray! Someday we could to take our kid to Disneyland!” If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland or already have one on the books doing Disneyland with kids is one of the most special memories you’ll ever make.

So what do you do on your first trip to Disneyland with kids? Well, there are rides you’ll do and then there are characters you’ll meet, but there’s more to it. We’re going to share our favorite attractions to do with toddlers and with big kids as well as the easiest options for family fun in both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, but we’ll start with the original.

Prepping for Disneyland with kids

If you haven’t read it yet go check out our article on planning and prepping for a trip to Disneyland with kids. Basically you want to decide ahead of time what the most important experiences to you are (fireworks, parades…) as well as make sure you got your dad toolbox ready, AKA your backpack of supplies and the Disneyland app.

  What to bring into the park:

smartphone with a great camera (love the Pixel!)

lots of simple snacks ready at a moment’s notice

your own stash of wipes and paper towels

light jackets for everyone (even rain ponchos)

the Disneyland app loaded onto your phone

sunblock and hats

As long as you have the supplies with you the rest of the day is going to be a breeze. Seriously, the backpack/app combo is totally the ultimate Disney dad toolbox.

Disneyland’s FastPASS system

Disneyland uses the FASTPASS system which means that you can scan your entry ticket at different stations to get a pass for a shorter wait time for an attraction later in the day.  If you want to leverage the system, go for it, but know that you can have just as much fun without it. If you’re using FASTPASSes, start your day by getting passes for what is most important to you to ensure that you’ll get to do that ride that day.

Tip:  pay close attention to the time stamps on your FASTPASSes as they both say when you can return AND when your next FASTPASS will be available to get.

Disneyland Guide Land by Land

The Disneyland Resort has two parks (you probably know):  Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure.  If you’re going to do only one, Disneyland with kids is the way to go.  It has a great balance of attractions for really young guests as well as adults.

Tomorrowland Guide

Tomorrowland is a great place to start if you’re an adult.  The main attraction being Space Mountain, it’s the perfect launch to a day.  Bigger kids like Tomorrowland for its Star Wars theme attractions, from Star Tours to Jedi Training, the Star Wars Launch Bay to the Path of the Jedi.  Who knows how this will all change when the newest addition to Disneyland opens in 2019:  Star Wars Land.

For smaller kids though, you’ve got three really fun attractions:  Finding Nemo Submarines, Autopia, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.  Oh, and the Astro Orbiter… but that’ll make you nauseous.

Planning tip:  hit Space Mountain and Finding Nemo first thing in morning or at the end of your day. The lines are super short if you’re there within the first hour of the Park being open.

Characters to meet

The highlight in Tomorrowland is within the Star Wars Launch Bay.  Here you’ll be able to meet Chewbacca, Storm Troopers, and of course, Darth Vader.  There are queues within the Launch Bay, but the atmosphere and Star Wars displays are pretty cool and you won’t mind waiting.

Fantasyland with Kids

Enter through the castle, just do it.  We just did Disneyland with kids and I’ll tell you straight up, Fantasyland made the whole trip worth it.  Here’s the big disclaimer though: not all of the rides in Fantasyland will be a hit with all ages. From a kid’s perspective Pinocchio, Snow White and Mr Toad’s Wild Ride are all strangely creepy. There was a fair amount of screaming.

Having said that, Peter Pan’s Flight, King Arthur’s Carrousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Tea Party were amazing with the kids.  

Time saving tips:  walking through Sleeping Beauty Castle is fast and easy and is a great way to occupy time if nobody has the patience to wait for lines.  Also, the Storybook Land Canal Boats and Casey Jr’s Circus Train cover the same territory.  Pick one and nobody will be the wiser if the other is skipped.

Feel special:  if you ride King Arthur’s Carousel, ask the cast members at the attraction to point you towards the carousel horse named Jingles.  This was Mary Poppins’ horse and is specially painted with her emblems.

Characters to meet

The characters we have most commonly met over the years, and this holds true today, are Alice and the Mad Hatter.  They wander continually and are really spacey… always perfectly in character.  This also makes is tricky to get a great pic with them because they’re genuinely distracted by EVERYTHING else.  That’s okay though, the kids loved meeting them.

Pixie Hollow is also right by Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, so meeting Tinkerbell is a breeze.  To snap pics with the many Princesses, you’ll have to stop by the Fantasy Faire just outside of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.  They may also be wandering about, but there is a queue and process for a guaranteed Meet and Greet.

Tip:  some kids need a buffer between them and characters. Ask if your kids want to be right next to these oddly familiar faces before they freak out.

Frontierland in the afternoon

There’s not a ton to Frontierland so if you’ve got only one day, don’t linger here.  Big Thunder Mountain is the prime attraction to hit up and it really is awesome.  It’s my personal favorite rollercoaster within Disneyland.  The other main attraction of Frontierland is the Rivers of America where you can relax by the water, get on the water on the Mark Twain Riverboat, and explore Tom Sawyer Island.

Note:  big changes are happening in Disneyland right now including revamping the Island and areas on the backside of the Rivers of America.  Know that access to much of Frontierland’s space is limited while the Park undergoes updates and the addition of Star Wars Land.

Fronteirland is great for dining when you do Disneyland with kids.  From the outdoor vendors with snacks to the restaurants, you’ll have lots of options and plenty of seating.

Top picks for dining in Frontierland:  Rancho del Zocalo, Stage Door Cafe – both have simple menus and are easy with kids. Rancho del Zocalo has lots of seating, but the Stage Door Cafe does not.  It’s a grab-and-go sort of place.

Characters to meet

There aren’t too many characters that roam through Frontierland, but Woody and Jessie are almost always a guarantee here or over in California Adventure by Toy Story Mania, and often Pocahontas winds her way around the river bend. The cool thing about Frontierland and its cast is actually the cowboys.  If you’re lucky enough to catch one, the cowboy stand-up comics and shows are awesome and hilarious.

Adventureland: best spot in Disneyland with kids

Adventureland has long been our favorite place in Disneyland.  Indiana Jones Adventure was the first scary ride I ever did as a kid, and now it’s one of my favorites as an adult. If you’re doing Disneyland with kids though, if they’re pretty young you may need to skip this one, because it’s a whole lot more thrilling than just a simple roller coaster.  If the littles are daredevils though, let them check it out.

The best things about Adventureland though are the mellow attractions that are good for any age.  If you’ve never done the Jungle Cruise with a toddler, you have to; it’s hilarious and so exciting for them.  Tarzan’s Tree House is also a hit. Tarzan is one of our kids’ favorite movies, so getting to go through the tree house and see Tarzan and Jane and the animals, it was one of their favorite experiences in the Park.

Tip:  the Jungle Cruise at night is really fun, so be sure to hit it both during the day and after dark.

Lastly, the Enchanted Tiki Room and its ridiculously cheezy singing birds and flowers is a must.  We hung out in the Tiki courtyard before the show, watching all of the gods moving and talking. Then going in and actually watching the show, the kids were totally in awe.

Characters to meet

Moana.  Seriously.  Meeting Moana was at the top of our bucket list for Disneyland with kids and it was really perfect.  They were dumbfounded when they saw her and they had so many questions. It was unforgettable. 

New Orleans Square relaxation

On a hot day sitting on a bench by a fountain in New Orleans Square is just ideal.  It’s one of the more calm and quiet areas of Disneyland and when you’ve got wild children, it totally mellows them out. The tighter street area of the Square is beautiful and a slice right out of NOLA, but for the relaxation, grab some beignets and sit until the grand old trees.  This is one of the spots to let the smallest visitors grab a nap if needed, which can be important to maintain a happy time.

The attractions of New Orleans Square are all about chillin’ out too.  Pirates of the Caribbean has a little thrill with two small drops (and you sometimes get wet, soaked), but for the most part is just a mellow boat ride everybody enjoys.

Note:  even kids who love pirates might be spooked when face to face with them, FYI.

The Haunted Mansion is the other big attraction.  It’s again, nice and mellow, but also children might be creeped out.  It’s best during fall and winter when it’s set up as Haunted Mansion Holiday.  Jack Skelington and the crew from the Nightmare Before Christmas take it over and it’s awesome! It’s fun with haunted jingle bells playing and all kinds of Halloweentown stuff.  It’s one of the reasons we want to do Disneyland with kids next Christmas.

Characters to meet

Depending on the day of the week there may not be anybody to spot, but if you’re lucky a band of pirates might stroll through, including Captain Jack Sparrow.  Also, this last trip we spotted Princess Tiana and Dr Facilier from the Princess and the Frog… because it takes place in New Orleans.

Tip:  also watch for Princess Tiana and Dr Facilier also hanging out on the decks of the Mark Twain when it’s docked in Frontierland (close to New Orleans Square). And what’s more New Orleans than a beautiful old riverboat?

Critter Country fun

At the very end of Disneyland things get rustic.  That’s where you’ll find Splash Mountain and the Winnie the Pooh ride.  Pooh is cute and colorful and silly.  It’s great for little kids and adults that have a soft spot for cute things.  It’s a must if you’re with a child.

Note:  Once upon a time the Country Bear Jamboree was where the Winnie the Pooh ride is.  If you’re quick and know where to look, you can spot the talking taxidermy heads within the ride near the end, but you have to turn around and lean forward and break your neck to see them.

Splash Mountain is the big ticket item though.  For all of the cute, singing animals within the old mountain there is plenty of thrill and creep-factor.  Yes, you will get wet.  Yes, there is a double drop in the dark.  Yes, there is an ominous chorus or terror and despair before you take the big plunge.  It’s all in good fun though and if you’ve got a brave kiddo, go for it.  We took our oldest and he refuses to say he enjoyed any part of it… but he totally did.  Ahh, Disneyland with kids…

Tip:  this is a spot to get a FASTPASS, for sure.  If it’s a rainy day, chances are the lines will be swift, but on a hot sunny summer day you’ll be so glad you got the shorter queue.

Characters to meet

They’ve created a really great setup to do a meet and greet with Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore.  There is one queue to meet all three, much like meeting the Princesses.  When it rains, they just shift the queue to be undercover at Pooh Corner and you still get to hug them all.

The other folks to watch for in Critter Country are Briar Bear and Briar Fox.  They’re not always around, but when they are they like to roam and stop for pictures.  They’re hilarious and act like doofy guys when you pose with them, so know that little kids might not be all up for a hug.

Tip:  if you haven’t grabbed a Disney PhotoPASS card by the time you’re in Critter Country, get one from the cast members working with Pooh and friends.  It’s a cool way to capture professional photos all around the park.  Also, PhotoPASS cast members can help you by using your own camera to take pictures of your with characters and such, so leverage them.

Mickey’s Toontown (if you have the time)

On beyond It’s a Small World is Toon Town. I will say that it’s the coolest place and is visually amazing. You’re literally walking around in a cartoon world.  There are some attractions in Toontown that kids may enjoy, including Gadget’s Go-Coaster and Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin, but the purpose of Toontown really is just being in such a whimsical place… and to meet Mickey Mouse.

Note:  Toontown typically closes earlier than the rest of the Park, so if Disneyland with kids includes a visit here, check what time the land closes that day.

Characters to meet

This is why we enjoy Toon Town.  Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Daisy, Pluto… you can meet all of them here in Toon Town.  Mickey and Minnie’s houses aren’t just funny places to walk through and explore, but it’s where you’ll actually find them and meet them.  Mickey’s house is extra cool with his Movie Barn out back.  You actually get to meet him on set, and who knows what costume he’ll be wearing.

Note:  DON’T SPOIL DISNEY MAGIC by telling your kids that fuzzy characters aren’t real or how Mickey Mouse’s house works.  Let them figure it out. It’s half the fun of Disneyland with kids.

First time meeting Mickey Mouse…

First time meeting Mickey Mouse…

2nd time meeting Mickey Mouse

Hopefully our family guide to Disneyland with kids is helpful and you feel confident visiting the Happiest Place on Earth.  Keeping realistic expectations about what you’ll be able to do and see in the Park is key to enjoying your time there with minimal stress.  As an adult, you’ll have a nostalgic blast.  As a parent, you’ll see Disneyland in a new way:  through the eyes of your kids.  You’ll love it and and your kids won’t forget the awesome time they had.

Want to pin it for your own Disneyland planning? Go for it!

Dads in Disneyland: family guide to fun inside the Happiest Place on Earth Disneyland with kids is amazing. It might sound silly but when we first found out that we were going to be dads one of the very first thoughts that went through my head was “ hooray!